Navigating Student Fares on Chicago's Public Transportation: A Comprehensive Guide to CTA and Ventra

For students in Chicago, navigating the city's public transportation system is a crucial part of daily life. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Ventra offer various options for students to access reduced fares, making transportation more affordable. This guide provides a detailed overview of the requirements, processes, and options available for students seeking reduced fares on CTA buses and trains, as well as related programs like the U-Pass for college students.

Understanding the Student Reduced Fare Program

The CTA offers a Student Reduced Fare on its bus and train services. This reduced fare is available to elementary and high school students aged 7-20. It is valid Monday through Friday from 5:30 AM through 8:30 PM. To access this special fare, students need to use a Student Ventra Card when boarding.

Eligibility and Requirements

Age: Students must be between 7 and 20 years old.
Student Ventra Card: A Student Ventra Card is required to receive the Student Reduced Fare on CTA buses and trains.
Time Restrictions: The reduced fare is valid only on school days between 5:30 AM and 8:30 PM.
School Enrollment: Eligible students include those enrolled in elementary and high schools, including Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and non-CPS schools.

Obtaining a Student Ventra Card

Chicago Public Schools (CPS): CPS issues Student Ventra Cards directly to their students. Contact the school's administrator for assistance and to buy a new card. CPS high schools should have fare cards on hand. Students may only purchase CPS Fare Cards from the CPS school where they are enrolled.
Non-CPS Schools: Students attending non-CPS schools are also eligible for the program. Some schools issue cards directly. If the student’s school does not issue Ventra Student Cards, use the Replacement Student Ventra Card order form.
Expiration and Renewal: Student Ventra Cards last for up to five years and revert to regular fares when school is not in session. To have access to student fares re-enabled for every regular or summer school term, you'll need to have privileges renewed. If you attend a Chicago Public School, you don't need to do anything.

Using the Student Ventra Card

Payment Options: Once students have their Card, they have several options. Passes and pay-per-use value can be added to a student’s Card online at ventrachicago.com, by phone at 1.877.NOW.VENTRA, at CTA rail station vending machines, and at participating retail locations.
Cash Payments on Buses: Students can pay in cash/coins on buses if they have their Student Ventra Card and ask the driver to pay a cash student fare. Cash will only be accepted on buses after touching the Ventra CPS Fare Card to the reader to receive a student reduced fare rate.
Reduced Fare Rate: When school is in session, students must present the Ventra CPS Fare Card to receive the student reduced fare rate. When school is not in session, students can still use their Ventra CPS Fare Card. Elementary students between ages 7 and 11 pay a reduced rate on buses and rail per one-way ride.

Registering the Student Ventra Card

Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to register Student Ventra Cards. Registering a card provides balance protection in case the card is lost or stolen. It also allows for convenient online account management, including the ability to reload value or set the card to automatically reload when the balance is low.

Ventra CPS Fare Card Details

The Ventra CPS Fare Card is a contactless hard plastic card capable of storing transit value and providing enrolled CPS students with student reduced fare rides on the CTA and reduced fare rides on Pace Suburban Bus Service. The Ventra CPS Fare Card can be used for transit only.

Purchasing a Ventra CPS Fare Card

The Ventra CPS Fare Card costs $3.00 and may be purchased only through your child’s school. Please allow 7 to 10 days to process orders for a Ventra CPS Fare Card.

Important Dates and Changes

June 1, 2014: Students were no longer able to reload value on the old magnetic stripe Student Reduced Fare Transit Card.
July 1, 2014: The CTA stopped accepting the old magnetic stripe Student Reduced Fare Transit Card or any other magnetic stripe farecard. A Student Ventra Card is needed to ride the CTA and receive a student discount.
Expiration of Initial Cards: The first Student Ventra Cards to be issued since Ventra launched in 2013 began to expire on June 30, 2018, and continue to expire on a rolling basis. The expiration date can be found on the front of the Student Ventra Card. The Card will work through the last date of the month in which the card expires. If your Student Card is expired, you will need to purchase a new Card from the student’s school administrator.

Privacy Considerations

CPS will not be sharing any student data with the CTA. CPS will not be actively tracking your child’s transit history.

U-Pass Program for City Colleges of Chicago Students

City Colleges of Chicago offers a discounted Ventra U-Pass for students enrolled in six (6) or more credit hours for college credit during the Fall 2025 semester. Any student taking six or more credit hours can opt in for a one-time, nonrefundable fee of $70 for the Fall semester.

Eligibility and Enrollment

Credit Hours: Students must be enrolled in six or more credit hours for college credit.
Opt-In: Students must opt in for the U-Pass by logging in to their student portal at my.ccc.edu and filling out the U-Pass form under "Announcements."
Payment: Students can pay the $70 fee with cash or credit card, use available financial aid, or request financial assistance.

U-Pass Card Details

Activation: If you already have a Ventra U-Pass card and meet the criteria, the U-Pass function on your card will automatically activate the day after you pay the fee. If you are a new student to the Ventra U-Pass program for Fall 2025, you must opt in at my.ccc.edu.
Validity: Your U-Pass Card is valid for at least five years, and your transit account will remain active when the semester is completed.
Usage Restrictions: U‐Pass privileges are not valid on Pace buses or Metra trains. Your U-Pass will only work on CTA buses or trains. U‐Pass is limited to exclusive use by the original full‐time student card owner. Your U‐Pass may not be shared.

Lost or Stolen U-Pass

If your pass is lost or stolen, you may request a new card through the Business Office at your home college. You must present your City Colleges ID and pay a $50 non-refundable replacement fee. Once the requested items are received, an order will be placed for your U-Pass. Alternatively, you can visit Student Activities to take a photo for your U-Pass. Once your photo has been uploaded into the CTA U-Pass system (in 5 to 7 business days), you can pick up your U-Pass from the Business Office.

Obtaining the U-Pass

Once you have opted in and paid for your U-Pass, please obtain a printout of your payment receipt from the Daley College Business Office. Bring your receipt and student ID to the Student Activities Center.

Other Reduced Fare Options

Besides the Student Reduced Fare and the U-Pass, other reduced fare options are available for specific groups:

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Seniors: Reduced fare tickets and passes are available for seniors ages 65 or over who have an RTA-issued Reduced Fare Permit. If you are an Illinois resident, and currently enrolled in the Illinois Department on Aging’s Benefit Access Program, you are eligible for free transit on fixed routes operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace.
People with Disabilities: Reduced fare tickets and passes are available for qualified people with disabilities who have an RTA-issued Reduced Fare Permit. If you are an Illinois resident, and currently enrolled in the Illinois Department on Aging’s Benefit Access Program as a person with a disability, you are eligible for free transit on fixed routes operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace.
Medicare Recipients: Reduced fare tickets and passes are available for Medicare recipients who have an RTA-issued Reduced Fare Permit.
Low-Income Riders: Reduced fares are also available for low-income riders who have an RTA-issued Access card.
Active Duty Military Personnel: Reduced fares are available for active duty military personnel with military ID.

Metra and Pace Options

While the Student Reduced Fare primarily applies to CTA services, it’s important to note options for Metra and Pace:

Metra: Most Metra tickets and passes can be purchased from Metra vending machines at all downtown Metra rail stations and outlying stations where machines are available. All tickets and passes can be purchased using the Ventra app. Fares are based on distance traveled. Reduced fare tickets and passes are available for seniors ages 65 or over, qualified people with disabilities, and Medicare recipients who have an RTA-issued Reduced Fare Permit.
Pace: Pace offers a reduced rate to high school and younger students. Day Pass holders can also purchase the Regional Day Pass, offering unlimited rides on CTA and Pace. Monthly pass holders can also purchase the Regional Connect Pass for $30, offering unlimited rides on CTA and Pace, with no time or day restrictions, for an entire month. The Regional Connect pass can be purchased only in the Ventra app.

ETHS Student Ventra Cards

ETHS (Evanston Township High School) issues Student Ventra Cards directly to students. Cards can be purchased for $2 from the Business Office. Cards are not automatically activated at the time of purchase. The Student Ventra Card is valid for use on CTA for five years, so you do not need to purchase a new card each year. However, students must renew their Ventra privileges each fall for the new school year. Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to register Student Ventra Cards. Registering a card provides balance protection in case the card is lost, stolen, or damaged. It also allows for convenient online account management, including the ability to reload value or set the card to automatically reload when the balance is low.

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tags: #CTA #student #fare #requirements