Reduced Fare & Free Ride Programs

This page describes who qualifies for a reduced fare or free ride program. For specific fare information (including rates), see the Complete Fare Chart.

Reduced Fares

CTA offers a range of reduced fares for use by:

• Children ages 7-11. (Note: Children under 7 ride free with a fare-paying customer.)
• Grade school and high school students with CTA Student Riding Permit.
• Riders with disabilities with a valid RTA Reduced Fare Permit. All Medicare cardholders are eligible to apply for the RTA Reduced Fare Program.

Getting Reduced Fare Permits

• Riders with disabilities
  • Call 312-913-3110 to apply for the RTA Reduced Fare Permit. All Medicare cardholders are eligible to apply for the RTA Reduced Fare Permit.
  • Reduced Fare Permit allows the permit holder and an attendant to each ride at the reduced fare.
  • Reduced Fare Permit entitles the holder to travel at reduced fares on Pace and Metra.

  Value can be added to Reduced Fare Permits at vending machines located at CTA rail stations. Vending machines accept one, two, five, ten, and twenty-dollar bills, and all coins except pennies and half dollars. Maximum value on card can not exceed $100.

• Most Reduced Fare Permits are for the use of one person only.
• A Reduced Fare Permit allows one reduced fare for the Permit holder and one reduced fare for an attendant accompanying the Permit holder to be paid using the Permit with transfer eligibility maintained for both individuals.
• Reduced Fare Permit entitles the holder to travel at reduced fares on Pace and Metra.

Getting Student Riding Permits

• Grade and High School Students 12 and over
  • Purchase the Student Riding Permit through school or call 312-932-2923 for an application.
    Regular school year - $5
    Summer session - $2
  • Student Riding Permits are valid weekdays between 5:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. when school is in session. Contact 1-888-YOUR-CTA for more information.

Free Ride Programs

Qualifying riders also can ride free, as follows:

Seniors Ride Free

• As of March 17, 2008, seniors age 65 and over (living in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties) are eligible to ride free on CTA, Pace and Metra fixed routes with a valid RTA Reduced Fare Riding Permit or RTA Ride Free Smart Card.
• To obtain a RTA Ride Free Smart Card, visit the RTA's Web site or call (312) 836-7000.

CTA Military Service Pass

• Active U.S. military personnel in full uniform and presenting their United States Armed Forces ID may ride free on CTA buses and trains.
• Active U.S. military personnel and qualifying disabled veterans with a CTA Military Service Pass may ride free on CTA buses and trains.
• To obtain a CTA Military Service Pass, visit an authorized CTA service center on select days of the month. For locations, dates and times to visit a service center, click here.
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

People with Disabilities Ride Free

To help people with disabilities maintain their independence, the RTA has partnered with the Illinois Department on Aging to offer the People with Disabilities Ride Free program. New legislation now provides free rides on fixed-route transit (regularly scheduled CTA, Metra, and Pace buses and trains) for any Illinois resident over the age of 16 who has been enrolled as a person with a disability in the Illinois Circuit Breaker program. Learn more about the program at the RTA's Web site.