First Day, Free Rides’ sponsored for the fifth straight year by Chicagoland-based Butcher Boy Cooking Oils continues the tradition of getting kids to school
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will again offer “First Day, Free Rides” for all K-12, Chicago-area students as the agency sticks to tradition and contributes to the start of an exciting 2025-2026 school year. The Chicago Transit Board, during its monthly meeting on Wednesday, approved of continuing the free rides program for the 2025 and 2026 academic years.
For 2025, CTA is partnering again with Butcher Boy Cooking Oils for a fifth straight year to provide free bus and train rides on Monday, Aug. 18, for students at public and private schools along with an accompanying adult. The date coincides with the first day for Chicago Public Schools, and the program is intended to encourage attendance and help students start the academic year on a positive note.
“We recognize the value in students having an affordable and convenient ride to school on their first day back and how it can lead to a great school year,” said CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen. “It is wonderful to be able to continue this time-honored tradition, and we’re proud to again partner with Butcher Boy Cooking Oils for the fifth straight year.”
“Butcher Boy Cooking Oils is proud to partner with the Chicago Transit Authority to provide free bus and train rides to all Chicago students on their first day of school," said Paulette Gagliardo, president, Columbus Vegetable Oils. "For nearly 90 years, Chicagoans have played a big part in our growth by buying Butcher Boy vegetable and corn oils at their local grocery stores. As a fourth-generation, Chicago family-owned and operated business, we are forever grateful for our customers and honored to return the support to the community and the next generations.”
The First Day, Free Rides program provided over 50,000 free rides last year to students and their parents or guardians. Since the program debuted in 2011, more than 1.35 million free rides have been provided. The program is a highly anticipated, long-standing Chicago tradition.
CTA provides Chicagoland students with reduced fares throughout the school year. Students can take advantage of discounted fares of 75 cents on school days, between 5:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., during the academic year. Beyond school hours, elementary students, ages 7-11, are eligible for reduced fares of $1.10 for a bus ride and $1.25 for a train ride. Students who are age 12 and older will continue to pay the full fare of $2.25 on buses and $2.50 on trains. Children age 6 and younger ride free with a fare-paying customer.
For more information about Student Reduced Fare, please visit: www.transitchicago.com/students/
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