Comparative Fare Structure 

A table is inserted here to compare the fare structure between the major transit systems in the United States. 

CHICAGO (CTA):  Full Cash (Bus) - $2.25;  Express (Bus) - $2.25; Full Cash (Rail) - $2.25; Reduced Fare for Senior/Disabled - Free 

NEW YORK CITY (MTA):  Full Cash (Bus) - $2.25;  Express (Bus) - $5.50; Full Cash (Rail) - $2.25; Reduced Fare for Senior/Disabled - $1.10 

PHILADELPHIA (SEPTA):  Full Cash (Bus) - $2.00 (Zone charge may apply);  Express (Bus) - none; Full Cash (Rail) - $2.00 (Zone charge may apply); Reduced Fare for Senior/Disabled - Senior, Free; Disabled: $1

ATLANTA (MARTA): Full Cash (Bus) - $2.00;  Express (Bus) - none; Full Cash (Rail) - $2.00; Reduced Fare for Senior/Disabled - $0.90 

WASHINGTON D.C. (WMATA): Full Cash (Bus) - $1.70;  Express (Bus) - $3.85; Full Cash (Rail) - $1.95 - $5.00 (The fares are zone based and depend on hours 
traveled. Full fares are paid during peak hours varying from $1.95 to $5.00, with a $0.20 fee added to regular fares during the peak-of-the-peak periods); Reduced Fare for Senior/Disabled - Half-price Rail; $0.75 Bus 

LOS ANGELES (LACMTA): Full Cash (Bus) - $1.50;  Express (Bus) - $2.20-$2.90; Full Cash (Rail) - $1.50; Reduced Fare for Senior/Disabled -  $0.55 rush hours; 
$0.25 non-rush hours 

BOSTON (MBTA): Full Cash (Bus) - $1.50;  Express (Bus) - $3.5 Inner; $5.00 Outer; Full Cash (Rail) - $2.00; Reduced Fare for Senior/Disabled -  $0.60 (Rail); $0.40 (Bus)

CTA Historical Fare Structure 

2001 - 2003 Full Cash (Bus) $1.50; Full Cash (Rail) $1.50; Transfer Charge: $0.30; Reduced Fare: $0.75
2004 - 2005 Full Cash (Bus) $1.75; Full Cash (Rail) $1.75; Transfer Charge: $0.25; Reduced Fare: $0.85
2006 - 2008 Full Cash (Bus) $2.00; Full Cash (Rail) $2.00; Transfer Charge: $0.25; Reduced Fare: $0.85 (Rail); $1.00 (Bus)
2009 - 2010 Full Cash (Bus) $2.00; Full Cash (Rail) $2.25; Transfer Charge: $0.25; Reduced Fare: $0.85 (Rail); $1.00 (Bus)