Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Well-funded and visionary public transit agencies can have a positive effect on economic development, job creation and access to better housing and employment in the communities served by public transit.

This belief is merely the foundation for what we’re doing here at the CTA. CTA is making equity and inclusion a factor in every decision we make—from service changes to job and contracting opportunities. Because we know that something as simple as a new bus route or the extension of a rail line can be life-changing for the people who need it most.

Learn more about how we’re bringing equity and inclusion to the center of our daily operations:

• Departments and programs
• Projects and plans

January 2023: CTA and SEPTA sign historical small business reciprocity agreement.

Through the EIP, CTA and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority—another EIP First Mover agency—have signed a memo of understanding committing to the development of a first-of-its-kind interstate certification program for Small Business Enterprise (SBE) firms. The program will allow companies to compete as potential prime contractors for small business set-aside contracts with CTA and SEPTA following a single certification, which will help SEPTA introduce and develop the types of educational programs CTA currently offers for small businesses and will open up new markets and contracting possibilities for them. The model we create with SEPTA, once completed, will serve as a proof-of-concept, available for use nationwide.

Learn more 

The RLE Transit-Supportive Development Plan uses an equitable Transit Oriented Development (eTOD) planning approach.  In short, eTOD planning seeks to promote development without the displacement of existing residents and achieve community-focused benefits, such as affordable housing, local economic development and environmental sustainability. It can be a driver for more vibrant, prosperous, and resilient neighborhoods that put people of color and lower- and moderate-income residents at the center.

All Stations Accessibility Program

Today, our bus and rail fleets are 100% accessible to those who require step-free access to bus and train service and 104 of our 146 rail stations (>70%) are now accessible. The All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP) Strategic Plan is our blueprint for making the remaining 42 non-accessible rail stations fully accessible over the next two decades.

This comprehensive plan outlines both short- and long-term station accessibility projects, including repairs/replacement of 160+ existing rail station elevators, cost estimates and a proposed implementation schedule.

More on the All Stations Accessibility Program 

“Charging Forward” our roadmap to bus electrification

Public transit is the greenest and most equitable form of motorized transportation. We’re committed to making it better for everyone by buying new electric buses and building out our charging infrastructure to make our bus fleet all-electric by the year 2040. Following a multi-year analysis, we now have our first-ever roadmap for meeting our goal of the full-electrification of our bus fleet, facilities and supporting infrastructure.

The study, “Charging Forward: CTA Bus Electrification Planning Report,” (appendix) summarizes the findings of key analyses and establishes a practical framework for us to advance towards full electrification—all while ensuring that equity, the environment and the communities we serve are at the forefront of this next big endeavor.

Among the strategic recommendations outlined in the study, are:

• Which technologies to invest in;
• Where to install charging infrastructure;
• How to sequence the electrification of garages and routes;
• How to ensure that the related facility upgrades are coordinated with other modernization needs to maximize cost effectiveness and overall system reliability; and
• Outlining an achievable transition timeline for meeting the agency’s 2040 conversion goal.

With the completion of this study, we are now well-positioned to compete for funding, advocate for policies, and drive technology advances that will be essential to implement this plan.

More about our conversion to an all-electric bus fleet 

Better Streets for Buses

“When streets work better for buses, buses work better for people.”

Public bus service is the only travel mode in Chicago that is affordable, accessible and reaches all neighborhoods throughout the entire city. Essential workers and other Chicagoans without alternative options to reach workplaces, grocery stores or medical appointments rely upon CTA buses.

Building on our commitment to make the City’s bus system better for everyone, in partnership with the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), we are developing the Better Streets for Buses Plan. This will be the City’s first framework plan to improve street infrastructure for public bus service, and lay the groundwork for ongoing bus infrastructure improvements by establishing a network of corridors to prioritize and a toolbox of street treatments to consider as solutions.

The Better Streets for Buses Plan will streamline future bus movement and improve the bus passenger experience. These investments in future bus priority improvements will help transit-dependent residents better access resources and opportunities throughout the city. 

More about the Better Streets for Buses Plan