CTA

CTA Welcomes Newest Transit Operations Hires. More Than 300 Bus Operators Hired So Far in 2023

May 11, 2023

New employees critical in filling staffing shortages and helping improve service

As part of ongoing efforts to address workforce challenges and improve service throughout the system, this week the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) held its latest graduation event, celebrating the completion of training more than 100 employees who have completed the required training required to either advance into supervisory roles or help fill critical positions to operate buses, assist customers at rail stations and help clean vehicles.

So far in 2023, the CTA has added 304 new Bus Operators – more than 43 percent of its annual hiring goal. In this latest graduating class, nearly 40 new bus operators have either recently started or will enter service this week after having completed extensive and comprehensive training in all facets of operations, safety, troubleshooting, customer communications and more. 

“The addition of these nearly 300 new Bus Operators, is not only a welcome addition to the CTA family, but also a proud moment for us as an agency, as they are the next generation of bus operators dedicated to helping keep our City moving forward,” said CTA President, Dorval R. Carter, Jr., “We recognize there are a lot of opportunities out there, but few organizations offer a career with the immediate and long-term benefits that CTA has to offer. Today marks a positive step forward as part of our commitment to further improve the reliability of our vital transit services to our customers.”

Of the budgeted 3,707 full-time bus operator positions, a total of 3,279 are filled. CTA is now at 43 percent (or 304 full-time hires) of its 2023 goal of 700 new bus operators, which will help fill the shortage of about 600 net bus operator positions. The surge in hiring is the result of CTA’s ongoing and expanded recruiting, hiring and retention efforts to address an industry-wide shortage of transit workers, which includes five CTA-hosted job fairs with a total attendance of 1,741 interested applicants. 

CTA continues to seek candidates for Bus Operator, Bus Mechanic, and Flagger positions, which offer newly increased competitive pay rates – starting hourly wages for Bus Operators is $28.99, Bus Mechanic is $40.59, and Flaggers start at $21.36.  The Rail Flagger position is required for anyone looking to become the operator of one of Chicago’s iconic ‘L’ trains.

CTA also offers a hiring bonus of $1,000. These added incentives are in addition to excellent health benefits, pension, and opportunities for advancement. 

The CTA continues to have a wide variety of opportunities available from entry-level positions to management positions across all areas of the agency, including operations, trades (e.g., machinists, electricians, mechanics and more), maintenance and administrative.  For a complete list of all available positions, please visit transitchicago.com/careers.

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*Editor’s Note: CTA grants permission for all media to use the attached images and the following b-roll – either a portion thereof or in its entirety – in its broadcasts or on its websites. Please courtesy: CTA.   

B-roll (available for download): https://f.io/fu6NZxJj

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