Chicago Metra and CTA Are About to Change

Chicago Metra and CTA Are About to Change === #greattrainspeed #highspeedtrain #train === 00:00 Intro 00:38 Metra’s 2026 Makeover 06:58 CTA’s $2.2 Billion Turnaround === Big thanks David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA - 20160212 17 Last Run of Metra Electric Highliners https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highlin... CC BY 2.0 J. Crocker https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Bur... Attribution https://www.progressiverailroading.co... https://www.transitchicago.com/chicag... https://assets.metra.com/s3fs-public/... === Chicago Metra and CTA Are About to Change Chicago is entering a historic transit transformation as Metra and the CTA approve massive budgets backed by unprecedented state funding. Metra is shifting toward a cleaner future with new battery-electric trains, major fleet replacements, and hundreds of millions dedicated to stations, trackwork, and long-term modernization. At the same time, the CTA has adopted a $2.23 billion budget that expands service, improves safety, upgrades stations, and enhances the overall rider experience without raising fares. Together, these investments signal a renewed commitment to reliability, sustainability, and passenger-focused service. With both agencies pushing forward simultaneously, Chicago is stepping into a new era of modern, resilient, next-generation transit, and this is just the beginning. Chicago Metra and CTA Are About to Change Chicago’s trains have always been part of the city’s identity. From the rumble of elevated tracks to the quiet hum of subway tunnels and the convenience of airport links, this system stands out worldwide. But now, history is being written again. The Metra and CTA have approved enormous budgets for upgrades, promising to redefine the future of commuting. What does this colossal sum mean for riders, and why is it so surprising? Join us in today’s Great Train Speed episode as we dive into the numbers and explore the vision behind this transformative investment. Metra’s 2026 Makeover Chicago Metra and CTA Are About to Change Chicago’s regional rail network is preparing for a pivotal transformation as both Metra and CTA move forward with their newly approved 2026 operating and capital budgets. These decisions arrived shortly after the Illinois Legislature voted on Oct. 31 to provide an unprecedented $1.2 billion in annual funding for Chicago-area transit agencies. For a single region, this level of support marks one of the most significant commitments to public transportation in the United States, signaling that the state is prepared to help modernize and stabilize a system serving millions of riders each year.