NITA’s first budget outlines $5 billion operating plan

The Northern Illinois Transit Authority has proposed its 2027 Regional Operating Budget and Five-Year Capital Program, its first budget since beginning operations in September. The budget would create 439 jobs and outlines $5.04 billion in annual operating expenses and $1.3 billion in expected new funding, reports Metro Magazine.

“[The plan] also includes a $9.73 billion capital program for 2027 through 2031, with investments in vehicles, stations, tracks, bridges, signals, facilities, and technology. The capital program includes $990 million in new funding from the NITA Act, along with federal and state sources,” Alex Roman writes for Metro Magazine.

The plan outlines several proposed safety and service improvements: NITA proposes establishing an Office of Transit Safety and Experience, a fare gate pilot program intended to reduce fare evasion and no fare increase in 2027.