Crisis specialists are now riding the Red, Blue and Green lines. They work alongside a $225 million police deal the Council approved

CTA riders on parts of the Red, Blue and Green lines may now meet the agency's new Safe Ride Specialists. They are trained in crisis and violence intervention, can de-escalate conflicts between passengers and connect riders to services, NBC Chicago reported last weekend. The pilot runs one year and costs about $9.6 million.

Why it matters: rider safety remains a live concern. On Friday night a CTA bus was hit by gunfire in the 2700 block of West Madison Street in East Garfield Park; no one was hurt, ABC7 Chicago reported. The specialists are the CTA's newest layer, alongside police and private security.

Where and when

According to NBC Chicago:

• Blue Line, O'Hare branch: Logan Square to Jefferson Park, weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Blue Line, Forest Park branch: Austin to Forest Park, weekdays 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Green Line: Harlem/Lake to Conservatory-Central Park Drive, weekdays 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Saturdays 6 to 11:30 p.m.
• Red Line: Lake to Roosevelt, every day, noon to 3:30 a.m.

The Chicago Transit Board approved the pilot on Aug. 12 as four contracts with local groups: Healthcare Alternative Systems, Street Samaritans, Housing Forward and Metropolitan Peace Initiatives, part of Metropolitan Family Services, according to the CTA's announcement. The money comes from previously budgeted CTA funds and additional funding the Regional Transportation Authority approved after the state's transit law passed. The CTA said it will judge the pilot on measures including de-escalations without police, changes in service delays and how many riders it connects to services.

"Bringing trained, compassionate outreach professionals into the system to meet riders where they are" is the goal, acting CTA President Nora Leerhsen said in the announcement.

What our records add

The Council doesn't vote on CTA contracts. The Transit Board approved the Safe Ride contracts; they did not come to the City Council.

The police program does. The Council voted 50 to 0 on Sept. 23 for O2026-0027318, renewing the agreement that puts off-duty Chicago police officers on the CTA through CPD's Voluntary Special Employment Program. Under the agreement, CPD assigns an anticipated average of 180 officers a day, up to 200 at the CTA's request, working on foot around the clock when staffing allows. The CTA reimburses the City, up to $225 million over three years. Our story on that vote has the details.

What members asked. At the Sept. 22 Police and Fire Committee hearing, Ald. Jason Ervin (28th) asked why the transit unit relies on volunteers working days off instead of permanent officers. Ald. James Gardiner (45th) said officers often cluster near turnstiles while platforms go uncovered, and asked whether more officers mean less crime. Ald. Derrick Curtis (18th) and Ald. Nicholas Sposato (38th) asked why CTA shifts take priority over overtime in police districts. The committee then voted unanimously to recommend it.

Who sees the results. Under the police agreement, CPD sends monthly deployment and crime statistics to the CTA, not to the Council. The CTA's Safe Ride measures are also reported to its own board. Neither set of numbers is required to come to the Council, so members' main chance to ask about either is a hearing.

What's next

• Budget hearings: The Police Department has had its 2027 budget hearing; the Office of Emergency Management and Communications and the Office of Public Safety Administration come before the Council's Budget Committee on Nov. 5, under the hearing schedule.
• The pilot: runs through next fall, when the CTA board decides whether to keep or expand it.