CHICAGO — Chicago Transit Authority fares will increase next year for the first time since 2018 because of an ongoing fiscal crisis that Regional Transportation Authority officials are working to address.

CTA riders will see an increase of 25 cents as of Feb. 1, 2026, meaning that if you typically ride a CTA bus, the cost will rise from $2.25 to $2.50. A 1-day pass will see a $1 increase, a 7-day pass will see a $5 increase, a 30-day pass will see a $10 increase, and a regional connect pass will see a $15 increase.

Sydnee Alexander, a regular CTA rider who has a 40-minute commute every day, was waiting for a bus at the Belmont Brown Line stop Tuesday morning and spoke with WGN-TV about the fare hikes.

"Twenty-five cents is 25 cents, but it adds up really quickly," Alexander said. "So I

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