The Innovation, Coordination, and Enhancement (ICE) program, established as part of the 2008 Mass Transit Reform Legislation (P.A. 95-0708), provides operating and/or capital funding for projects that provide cost-effective ways to enhance the coordination and integration of public transportation, and develop and implement innovations to improve the quality and delivery of public transportation. Projects funded through this program advance the visions and goals of the RTA Strategic Plan by providing reliable convenient transit services, and enhancing efficiencies through effective management innovation and technology. The program is available to units of local government located in the RTA six-county service area, transportation agencies and the RTA Service Boards (CTA, Metra, and Pace). Through a competitive selection process, the program funds operating and/or capital projects such as:

• Shuttle bus services from rail stations and/or bus transfer facilities to key regional destinations and major activity centers
• Rail and bus reverse commute, intra-community, and/or off-peak services that enhance regional mobility by facilitating interagency connections
• Creation of new interagency transfer opportunities at locations were services currently intersect (rail to rail, rail to bus, bus to bus)
• Physical modifications to facilitate transfers at existing inter-agency locations to enhance/improve critical local or regional connections
• Passenger amenities for customers that need to transfer, i.e. shelters, benches, kiosks, etc.
• Deployment of new innovative technologies and procedures to reduce operating and/or maintenance costs