Beginning the first full week of January, changes will be made to the CTA Service Center locations for eligible customers who are interested in registering for the CTA Military Service Pass. Registration for the CTA Military Service Pass will be available at five authorized service centers on select days through March 31, 2009, including a new temporary service center within the Chicago Department of Human Services’ Veterans Resource Office.
The CTA Military Service Pass is an identification card that allows active U.S. military personnel and qualifying disabled veterans to ride free on CTA buses and trains; it is not valid for Metra, Pace or Pace Paratransit services. The creation of a Military Service Pass program was authorized by the Chicago City Council in February 2008. Since the program began in August, more than 3,300 active U.S. military personnel and disabled veterans have registered for the program.
Qualified disabled veterans and active duty military personnel not in uniform must have the CTA issued Military Service Pass in order to ride free. Active duty military personnel dressed in full uniform may continue to ride CTA buses and trains free without the new pass.
To be eligible for the Military Service Pass, active military personnel must present an Armed Forces identification card. Disabled veterans must present a valid state identification card along with an official letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (USDVA) indicating eligibility for a qualifying service-connected disability payment.
Customers can receive their Military Service Pass the same day they register by going to one of the authorized CTA service center locations, where CTA personnel will be on site to take applicants’ photos and confirm their eligibility. Customers can visit one of the following locations from January 1, 2009, through March 31, 2009 to apply for the pass:
First Monday of Every Month – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph, Room 5-570
Chicago, IL 60601
First Thursday of Every Month* – 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
General Jones Armory
5200 S. Cottage Grove, Room N100
Chicago, IL 60615
*This location will be closed on January 1, 2009 – New Year’s Day.
Third Wednesday of Every Month – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Chicago Department of Human Services (New Location)
Veterans Resource Office
10 S. Kedzie, Suite 205
Chicago, IL 60612
Fourth Tuesday of Every Month – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
820 S. Damen, Room 2446
Chicago, IL 60612
Fourth Wednesday of Every Month – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital
5000 S. 5th Ave., Bldg. 1-C Lobby
Hines, IL 60141
The Evanston Veterans Center and the Oak Park Veterans Center will no longer offer registration services for the CTA Military Service Pass.
Should military personnel or disabled veterans have any questions or experience any problems while using the Military Service Pass, CTA bus operators and customer assistants are available to assist. Customers may also contact CTA Customer Service at 1-888-YOUR-CTA (968-7282).
# # #