Chicago Transit Authority
CTA services: "L" and bus | |
| Parent | Regional Transportation Authority |
|---|---|
| Founded | October 1, 1947 |
| Headquarters | 567 West Lake Street, Chicago, Illinois |
| Locale | Chicago, Illinois & suburbs |
| Service type | Bus service Rapid transit |
| Routes | Bus: 140, Rail: 8 |
| Fleet | Bus: 1,879, Rail: 1,190 |
| Daily ridership | 971,400 (total, weekdays, Q4 2025) |
| Annual ridership | 319,160,900 (total, 2025) |
| Fuel type | Diesel, Diesel-electric hybrid, Battery electric |
| Chief executive | Nora Leerhsen |
| Website | transitchicago |
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is a public transit agency in Chicago, Illinois, United States. It operates the Chicago "L" rail system and CTA bus services.
The CTA was established as an independent governmental agency by the Metropolitan Transportation Act passed by the Illinois General Assembly on April 12, 1945. It started operations on October 1, 1947, upon the purchase and combination of the transportation assets of the Chicago Rapid Transit Company and the Chicago Surface Lines streetcar system. In 1952, CTA purchased the assets of the Chicago Motor Coach Company, resulting in a fully unified system. Today, the CTA is one of the three service boards financially supported by the Regional Transportation Authority, and CTA service connects with Metra commuter rail and Pace Suburban Bus.
In 2025, the system had a ridership of 319,160,900, or about 971,400 per weekday as of the fourth quarter of 2025.