The Chicago Regional Transit Authority (RTA) has issued dire warnings about potential service cuts across CTA, Metra, and Pace due to a staggering $770 million budget shortfall. According to the RTA, up to 1 in 5 Chicagoans could lose access to public transit services if state funding is not secured. Projections indicate that if the financial crisis is not addressed, transit agencies may slash services by as much as 40% by 2026, affecting bus and train lines, as well as overnight and weekend services. In response to the looming fiscal cliff, Metra has agreed to pay substantial fees to lobbyists while transit unions are advocating for a new bill aimed at securing funding. Discussions are ongoing regarding the consolidation of mass transit services in the region in a bid to tackle these pressing challenges.