CTA revised security plan details patrol surge

CTA revised security plan was submitted yesterday by the Chicago Transit Authority to the Federal Transit Administration. It followed a directive from FTA Administrator Marc Molinaro.

As reported by Progressive Railroading, the FTA issued that directive on Dec. 8, 2025. Also, it told the CTA to address assaults on transit workers and broader public safety concerns. Meanwhile, the agency rejected the initial response submitted on Dec. 15, 2025. Still, CTA then had until March 19. Otherwise, it risked losing 25% of its federal funding.

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CTA revised security plan and policing changes

According to a CTA press release, the revised plan calls for a 75% increase in monthly policing hours across the system.

It includes:

• a 34% increase in scheduled patrol hours by the Chicago Police Department’s public transit section;
• a doubling of off-duty officers assigned through CPD’s voluntary special employment program; and
• 4,400 monthly hours of Cook County Sheriff patrols on CTA rail lines.

Also, CTA and CPD have launched the transit rider interaction program, or TRIP. For example, teams of officers board and inspect trains at high-incident stations. Meanwhile, CTA officials said more than 300 TRIP missions have been completed since the program began in January. At the same time, crime at the targeted stations has fallen by 15%.

Crime trends, social service support and fare evasion

In addition, CTA officials said assaults on transit workers fell 25% in January. They also said those assaults fell 29% in February. That comparison used the six-month average recorded before the patrol surge began in December 2025.

Separately, crime on the CTA rail system declined 9%. That covered the period from the start of the patrol surge through the end of February. It was compared with the same period a year earlier.

Still, the revised security plan also sets stronger crime reduction targets. It also expands social service support. For example, CTA said this includes partnerships with the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services and the Chicago Department of Public Health. Those partnerships are meant to connect riders to shelter and social services. Also, the agency plans additional fare evasion measures. Those measures include farecard inspections and high-barrier gates.

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