The Chicago Transit Authority announced Wednesday that chief of staff Nora Leerhsen will take over as acting president of the transit agency when current President Dorval Carter Jr. retires at the end of the month.

The next CTA leader will face the task of helping to rebuild trust in the agency, after years of complaints about service, personal safety and conditions on buses and trains

CTA President Dorval Carter, Jr. announced his retirement at the end of the month after 40 years of service in public transportation. "The City of Chicago is grateful to President Dorval Carter for his decades of service with the Chicago Transit Authority,

Carter’s resignation comes as a debate brews in Springfield about whether to combine the CTA with Metra, Pace and the Regional Transportation Authority.

Nora Leerhsen, CTA's chief of staff, is taking over as interim president days after the agency's embattled former chief announced he was stepping down.

Chicago Transit Authority Board members met Wednesday to appoint a new interim leader after longtime president Dorval Carter announced his retirement.

Dorval Carter has been the president of the agency since 2015 and has recent pressure from city council and others to resign.

The exec who has fiercely defended the Chicago Transit Authority's independence against calls to consolidate with Metra and Pace is retiring.