Building on input from recent Transit Community Safety Workshop, CTA seeks to partner with local crisis intervention, mental health, and social service groups
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) today launched two new Problem Statements through its Innovation Studio focused on developing new solutions to engage with and support riders for a safe and comfortable ride for everyone. The Problem Statements address issues that arise when CTA riders and employees encounter people who are unhoused, who may be experiencing a mental health crisis, or when groups of youth and young adults congregate and create a disruptive environment.
This is the latest step in CTA’s effort to pilot a new Safe Ride Specialists, which would place trained individuals on the system to provide support for those in need, while improving safety for all customers and employees. The Problem Statements were released through CTA’s Innovation Studio, an initiative designed to allow businesses and community organizations to pilot new solutions and technologies to overcome some of the agency’s biggest challenges.
“CTA’s innovation Studio is a unique and exciting initiative that allows us to create partnerships and test new, innovative solutions, as we seek to solve problems in the interest of providing a great travel experience for our riders,” said CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen. “It is our highest priority that our riders and employees feel safe and supported, and I believe the work we are doing through our Innovation Studio is critical to helping us achieve that goal.”
The Problem Statements released today seek to address two separate issues through the pilot deployment of Safe Ride Specialists; however, the different tactics and experience needed may require partnerships with different organizations.
First, CTA is seeking solutions that place a priority on “violence interruption” to address the following Problem Statement:
“How can CTA effectively engage with groups of youth and young adults (typically ages 10-29) to promote a safer, more welcoming transit environment and discourage violent and disruptive incidents that occur on the system typically during the late afternoons and overnight hours as young community members gather on CTA vehicles and at facilities?
Separately, CTA is seeking solutions that focus on “crisis intervention” tactics to address the second Problem Statement:
“How can CTA compassionately engage and connect riders experiencing mental health crises, substance use challenges, and/or other vulnerabilities to supportive services and promote safe and welcoming spaces for all riders and employees?”
CTA has identified multiple zones within the transit system for partners to consider for initial deployment of the Safe Ride Specialists pilot program. The pilot zones are based on security data, input from local community partners and CTA employees, and feedback provided by CTA customers.
CTA Board Chairman Lester L Barclay said, “We have a number of critical programs that make up our multi-pronged approach to security– from CTA’s partnership with local police to the information we receive directly from our customers – but we look forward to innovative ideas and new partnerships that further help us provide safe and reliable transit for Chicago."
In late August, CTA held its first-ever Transit Community Safety Workshop, convening partners in behavioral health, homelessness services, youth engagement, accessibility advocacy, violence prevention, and the business community. The workshop also included CTA Board members and CTA executive leadership team, union leaders, and CTA staff from seven internal departments, including operations, customer service, and safety.
The workshop included a discussion with peer agencies where similar specialist programs have been successfully piloted. In addition, a breakout exercise engaged all participants in considering real-world scenarios where a Safe Ride Specialists might support those in need. Participants discussed a variety of program design questions, including staffing models, training, and coordination. Workshop feedback was used in the development of the Problem Statements released today.
"This is a welcome step in addressing the need to appropriately assist riders when they are in mental health crisis. By enhancing service delivery for people in crisis, we will improve the safety and experience of the entire system for all riders," said Laura Saltzman, Chair of the CTA ADA Committee and transportation analyst at Access Living.
Problem Statement Response Process
CTA invites community partners and businesses to submit proposals that are responsive to the identified Problem Statements and, if selected, work closely with CTA to pilot the initiative in the transit system. The full Problem Statements can be found on CTA’s website at www.transitchicago.com/innovation-studio.
Organizations interested in responding can learn more about the Problem Statements and how to apply during a virtual information session in early January 2026. Potential vendors will be able to ask questions and get a better understanding of what is required. Final responses for both Problem Statements are due on February 17, 2026.
Innovation Studio Background
CTA’s Innovation Studio has launched six Problem Statements and partnered with private sector entities to explore leading-edge ideas to improve rail system safety, to develop a new solution for bus stop asset management, to expand the availability of real-time information displays to bus riders, and to mitigate the impact of secondhand smoke for riders on bus and rail vehicles. More information about Innovation Studio can be found at transitchicago.com/innovation-studio.
###