The Chicago Transit Authority is the 3rd largest in the United States. In continuous service since 1947 which began after the consolidation of several different transit authorities into one entity. CTA Buses alone provide 1 million passenger trips a day.

Type: Public, Independent Illinois Government Agency

Fleet Size: 1,879 Low Floor and Articulated Buses, 1,190 Subway Rolling Stock

Routes: 140 Bus Routes, 8 Rail Lines

Manufacturer and Powerplant: CTA sources its fleet from Novabus and New Flyer of Canada utilizing Diesel, Diesel Electric Hybrid and CNG powerplants.

Fare Collection: The Contactless card payment system in Chicago is called Ventra Card. Ventra Card is unique in that it is a fusion of a standard RFID based transit card and a debit card which can be connected to an account to hold money. CTA accepts fares using Ventra Card, Cash and any debit card fitted with an RFID chip. This allows the card to be used where debit cards are accepted.

Livery: CTA Buses are decorated with a White, Red and Blue paint scheme which was introduced after the arrival of its first batch of TMC RTS buses. CTA buses were once painted green and were nicknamed "green limousines".

Innovations: The nature of acquisition that is in the history of the CTA has many parallels with the MTA in New York City. Various transit companies in Chicago were consolidated to create a more efficient and unified system. CTA's first bus fleet were the remnants of the Chicago Motor Coach Company and were sold to the CTA to begin bus service. CTA Buses are notable for their close resemblance in specifications to their Canadian counterparts. The CTA is also known to delay purchasing new buses keeping older ones as long as possible.