The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is facing a critical federal directive that could impact its funding if immediate action is not taken to address a surge in violent crime and assaults on its buses and trains. The directive, issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration, comes in response to a recent high-profile incident where a man set a woman on fire aboard a Blue Line train in the Loop.
In a letter to Governor JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson, FTA Administrator Marc Molinaro criticized Chicago’s leaders for neglecting their responsibility to protect riders and workers. The directive calls for CTA to enhance its law enforcement presence and develop a plan to reduce assaults on passengers and workers.
According to federal officials, CTA’s own data shows that the rate of assaults on transit workers has exceeded the national average since 2015, with attacks on customers increasing by 150 percent in the past five years. The directive highlights CTA’s failure to keep its Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan updated and maintain a safe operating environment to address the escalating violence.
The order sets strict deadlines for CTA to update its safety plan by the end of December and develop a security enhancement plan for federal review by December 15. Federal officials will closely monitor CTA’s progress through scheduled meetings, required submissions, and possible onsite inspections to ensure compliance.
This federal directive underscores the urgent need for CTA to take decisive action to improve safety and security on its transit system. Failure to do so could result in the withholding of federal funds, putting additional pressure on the agency to prioritize the safety of its passengers and employees.
As the situation unfolds, it is crucial for CTA to swiftly implement the necessary measures to address the surge in violent crime and assaults on its buses and trains. The safety and well-being of riders and workers must be a top priority for the agency as it works to comply with the federal directive and enhance security across its transit system.
