The CTA defended its commitment to safety in a letter to federal transportation officials sent after President Donald Trump’s Department of Transportation threatened to withhold the agency’s federal funding.

“We recognize that it is absolutely critical that we remain laser-focused on providing a safe and secure ride for everyone on our system,” acting CTA President Nora Leerhsen wrote in an Oct. 3 letter to Trump’s transportation secretary, Sean Duffy. “We share your focus on this important issue.”

Duffy wrote a letter to the CTA in September asking the agency to lay out its plans to reduce crime and fare evasion on the system — or risk losing federal funding.

“I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter to avoid further consequences, up to and including redirecting or withholding

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