CTA finance staff presented August 2025 financial results to the board on Oct. 8, reporting system-generated revenue close to budget for the month, stronger ridership on rail and growth in pass sales, and year-to-date favorable variances on both operating revenue and public funding collections.

Tom McComb (finance presenter) told the board August fare and pass revenue were slightly below budget for the month but approximately $1.1 million higher than August of the prior year, driven by stronger rail ridership and pass sales. Non-farebox revenue, McComb said, benefited from higher investment income tied to elevated interest rates and additional reserve balances. He said total system-generated revenue for the month was about $1.8 million better than budget and about $2.5 million higher than the prior August.

Year to date, McComb reported fair-and-pass totals were slightly under projections for the year but $5.6 million ahead of last year; combined system-generated revenue was $12.2 million ahead of budget and $20.7 million ahead of last year. On expenses, he said most lines were at or slightly better than budget, with material, fuel and power costs lower due to newer vehicles and credits from prior-year payments; total expenses were $13.6 million better than budget for the month and $63.3 million favorable year to date through August.

On public funding, McComb noted recent sales-tax collections were about 10% above budget in the most recent month (roughly $9.4 million favorable) and about 11% favorable year to date (approximately $70.3 million). He said that favorable funding helps preserve designated operating reserves and could be used as one-time funding into the next year. McComb added CTA is working to finalize power-purchase agreements for next year’s budget pricing.

Board response: Directors asked no substantive follow-up questions during the presentation.

What it means: Staff described the financial position as stronger than budgeted in both system revenue and public funding through August, with expense performance also favorable. McComb cautioned that some fringe and year-end variances could arise but said other lines should offset those costs.