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CTA launches $9.6 million pilot to add trained safety specialists on three rail lines
The one-year Safe Ride Specialist pilot places workers trained in crisis and violence intervention on parts of the Blue, Green and Red lines. The CTA says they will complement police and security staff, help de-escalate conflicts and connect riders with support services.
The Chicago Transit Authority has launched a one-year pilot that puts Safe Ride Specialists on parts of the Blue, Green and Red lines, adding workers trained to help prevent conflicts and connect passengers with support services.
The program, which began earlier in October, is expected to cost about $9.6 million, using funds already allocated in the CTA budget, the agency said. Specialists are scheduled to work at varying times on designated stretches of the three lines:
- 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: weekdays, 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Saturdays, 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. - Red Line, Lake to Roosevelt: daily, noon to 3:30 a.m.
The specialists are trained in crisis and violence intervention. The CTA says they can help de-escalate situations and refer riders to other services and support. The agency developed the program with input from riders, more than 30 mental health experts and community organizations.
The initiative is intended to supplement, not replace, the CTA’s work with police, security personnel and frontline transit staff. The agency has also partnered with the Chicago Police Department and Cook County Sheriff’s Office to deploy additional officers.
Riders interviewed at the Lake station on the Red Line offered mixed reactions. One said the specialists could assist police and help keep passengers safe. Another questioned whether people causing trouble would respond to the presence of additional personnel. Other riders welcomed extra security, while one said the program sounded promising but would need to be tried to judge its effectiveness.
The pilot comes as the CTA works to address passenger safety concerns. One rider said they avoid taking the Red Line late at night, underscoring how safety perceptions can shape whether people feel comfortable using public transit.