Regional transit agencies debut new day pass for seamless travel across CTA, Metra, PACE

The Chicago Transit Board meeting held on April 9, 2025, focused on the upcoming launch of a regional day pass aimed at enhancing the transit experience for riders across the Chicago area. The pass will allow unlimited travel on CTA, Metra, and PACE for a single fare, priced at $9.50 on weekends and $10 during the week. This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve collaboration among transit agencies and streamline fare systems.

During the meeting, officials highlighted the importance of this new pass as a step towards a more integrated transit system. Nicholas Crone, Vice President of Fare Systems, emphasized that the regional day pass builds on the previously launched monthly pass and is designed to provide a frictionless travel experience for regular transit users.

In response to inquiries about future collaborations, Crone outlined several initiatives in the pipeline. These include the development of a new mobile app aimed at facilitating seamless trip planning across all three transit agencies. Additionally, CTA and PACE are coordinating on bus service visioning studies to better align their services and improve overall efficiency.

The board also discussed ongoing efforts with Cook County and Metra to identify potential gaps in rail service through an infill station study. This study aims to enhance connectivity by determining where new rail stations could be beneficial.

Crone noted that regular service planning occurs quarterly, focusing on improving service alignment with Metra schedules to ensure timely connections for riders. He also mentioned long-term discussions regarding the integration of fare systems across agencies, with the goal of creating a unified app that simplifies mobility throughout the region.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to keep the board updated on these initiatives, reinforcing the vision of a seamless and integrated transit experience for all users in the Chicago area.