Getting around Chicago via public transportation is about to get more expensive. The Chicago Transit Authority announced Monday that fares will rise in 2026—part of a region-wide push to patch looming budget gaps across Chicagoland’s transit network.

The CTA’s proposal follows closely on the heels of Metra’s own rate hike announcement, both driven by a Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) mandate requiring all three major transit agencies—CTA, Metra and Pace—to raise fares by at least 10-percent next year. The move comes as the RTA works to close what was once a staggering $771 million fiscal shortfall, now narrowed to around $200 million.

For CTA riders, the increase will touch every level of travel. The base fare for buses and trains will jump 25 cents, from $2.25 to $2.50. Si

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