Chicago CTA Reduced Fare and Ride Free 2026–27: The New Access Program for SNAP Households, Senior and Disability Permits and How to Apply
Chicago's transit discounts went through a big change this fall. On October 1, 2026, the Access Program, which had only covered Metra, expanded to the CTA and Pace. Households that get SNAP or IDHS FRESH benefits can now ride the 'L' for $1.25 and the bus for $1.10. That's half the regular fare.
The older programs are still around, too. Riders 65 and up and people with disabilities can get a Reduced Fare permit. Those who also meet the state's Benefit Access Program income limits can get a Ride Free permit and ride CTA, Metra and Pace fixed routes at no cost.
All of these permits now come from the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA), which replaced the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) on September 1, 2026. If you've been searching for "RTA Ride Free," that's why the name looks different. This guide explains each program, who qualifies, what you'll pay, and how to apply.
Last checked October 2026. Sources: CTA's Reduced Fare & Free Ride Programs page and fare chart; NITA's Discounted Fare and Ride Free Programs page, its Access Program page and its October 1, 2026 Access expansion announcement; the NITA Fare Programs portal (GetAccess.org); and the Illinois Department on Aging's Benefit Access page. CTA's posted fare chart is marked "effective February 20, 2023," so confirm current fares with CTA before you budget.
The Short Version
| Program | Who it's for | What you get | |---|---|---| | Access | Households getting SNAP or IDHS FRESH benefits, living in Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, McHenry or Will county | About 50% off on CTA, Pace and Metra | | Reduced Fare | Age 65+, people with a qualifying disability, and Medicare cardholders | About half fare on CTA, Metra and Pace | | Ride Free | Seniors and people with disabilities enrolled in the state's Benefit Access Program | Free rides on CTA, Metra and Pace fixed routes | | Military Service Pass | Active-duty personnel and Chicago-area veterans with a service-connected disability | Free CTA rides |
Kids under 7 ride free with a paying adult. Children 7 to 11 and enrolled K-12 students ages 7 to 20 get reduced fares too, as explained below.
What You'll Pay on CTA
Here are the main fares from CTA's fare chart:
| Fare | Full | Reduced | Student | |---|---|---|---| | 'L' train | $2.50 | $1.25 | $0.75 | | Bus (Ventra or contactless) | $2.25 | $1.10 | $0.75 | | Bus, cash at farebox | $2.50 | $1.25 | $0.75 | | 'L' from O'Hare | $5 | $1.25 | $0.75 | | Transfers (up to 2 more rides within 2 hours) | Free | Free | Free |
If you pay cash at the farebox, you don't get transfers. Transfers from Pace buses to CTA cost 25 cents at full fare and 15 cents at reduced or student fare.
Passes. A full-fare 1-Day CTA/Pace pass is $5, a 3-Day pass is $15, a 7-Day pass is $20 and a 30-Day pass is $75. Reduced Fare permit holders can buy a 30-Day CTA/Pace pass for $35. CTA notes that this pass is only for riders with NITA-issued Reduced Fare permits.
The Access Program: Half Price for SNAP and FRESH Households
What it is
Access started as a Metra pilot on February 1, 2024, after the Fair Transit South Cook pilot ended. NITA's board approved expanding it at its first meeting on September 10, 2026, and it reached CTA and Pace on October 1. NITA says it is paid for with new money from the NITA Act.
With an Access permit, according to NITA:
CTA bus rides cost $1.10
CTA 'L' rides cost $1.25
Pace bus rides cost $1
Metra: buy a reduced-fare ticket and show your permit to the conductor
On CTA and Pace, you tap the permit itself to pay. NITA estimates that someone riding to work five days a week can save up to $650 a year.
Who qualifies
You qualify if you live in the NITA region (Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, McHenry or Will county) and you're a member of a household that receives SNAP or the IDHS FRESH Program benefit. NITA notes that SNAP is aimed at households with low income, around 165% of the poverty level. You don't have to be a senior or have a disability.
How to apply
Online at GetAccess.org, which NITA calls the fastest way
By phone: NITA Customer Service at (312) 913-3110
By mail: download a paper application from NITA, fill it out and mail it in
In person at one of NITA's 62 registration sites (NITA has a map on its Access page)
Once you're approved, NITA says the permit arrives in 7 to 10 business days.
Good to know
Permits are valid for four years. NITA says they stay valid even if federal SNAP rules change.
Already have a Metra Access permit? You don't need to re-enroll. NITA says about 9,000 existing Metra permits are being expanded automatically, and holders will get a new card in the mail that works on CTA and Pace.
Reduced Fare Permits for Seniors and People With Disabilities
NITA calls Reduced Fare a federally mandated program that gives roughly half-price fares on CTA, Metra and Pace to older adults and people with disabilities.
Who qualifies
Seniors: anyone 65 or older who isn't eligible for Ride Free
People with disabilities: anyone with a qualifying disability who isn't eligible for Ride Free. You'll need proof (see below).
Medicare cardholders: a valid Medicare card qualifies you. If you're under 65 and don't have a disability, you have to send a copy of your Medicare card plus proof of current Medicare eligibility.
Proof of disability
If you get Social Security disability benefits, send a printout from Social Security dated within the current year that includes the word "disabled."
If you don't get disability payments from Social Security, a doctor must fill out the proof-of-disability form in the application and attach a letter of diagnosis.
For Medicare verification, you can get a printout by calling the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or by visiting a Social Security office.
How to apply and renew
You can apply on the NITA Fare Programs Portal (the same site as GetAccess.org), download the senior or disability application, or call (312) 913-3110 to have one mailed to you. Applications come in alternate formats for ADA accessibility.
Reduced Fare permits do not renew automatically. When yours expires, or the expiration date printed on the front is coming up, you have to apply again the same way.
Ride Free Permits: Free Transit for Lower-Income Seniors and People With Disabilities
Ride Free is a State of Illinois program. It gives free rides on CTA, Metra and Pace fixed-route service to seniors and people with disabilities who are enrolled in the Illinois Department on Aging's Benefit Access Program (BAP). You have to be approved for BAP first.
Step 1: Qualify for Benefit Access
According to the Department on Aging, you must meet the age or disability rule:
You were 65 or older before January 1 of this year, or you turn 65 this year, or
You were 16 or older before January 1 and have been determined totally and permanently disabled (as the program defines it) before January 1
You also have to meet the income rule. Your total gross income for the last closed tax year must be less than:
| Household | Income limit | |---|---| | 1 person | $33,562 | | 2 people | $44,533 | | 3 people | $55,500 |
If you were married and living together on December 31 of last year, include your spouse's income. Don't count the income of a "Qualified Additional Resident."
You can apply for BAP online through the Department on Aging or call the Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966 (TTY 1-888-206-1327, or Illinois Relay at 711). NITA adds that BAP information is also available at many senior centers, at the City of Chicago's Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, and at Independent Living Centers.
Step 2: Apply for the Ride Free permit
After you're approved for BAP, fill out NITA's Ride Free application on the Fare Programs Portal. You can also download a paper application or call (312) 913-3110 to get one by mail.
Renewing and replacing
About two months before your Ride Free permit expires, NITA mails a renewal notice with the application printed on the back. Send it back with a copy of your Illinois State ID or driver's license. If a permit is lost, stolen or damaged, apply for a replacement on the portal or by phone. You don't need to send a new photo.
In-Person Help in Chicago
NITA runs four City of Chicago registration sites:
City Hall, Room 100, 121 N. LaSalle St. (enter on the LaSalle side)
Southwest Center
Southeast Center (Atlas)
Northeast (Levy) Senior Center
These sites close on city holidays. NITA posts full- and half-day closures on its fare programs page, so check there before you go. For the nearest location, call 312-913-3110. NITA's administrative office is at 175 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 1550, open weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Students, Kids and Military
Children 0–6 ride free with a fare-paying adult.
Children 7–11 pay the reduced fare. Tell the bus operator or the station attendant before you pay.
Students 7–20 in elementary or high school need a Student Ventra Card to get the student fare. Chicago Public Schools gives these out directly.
College students at participating schools get a Ventra U-Pass. It covers unlimited rides while school is in session and works like a regular Ventra card between semesters.
Military: Active-duty personnel in uniform ride CTA free. Active-duty personnel, actively drilling Guard and Reserve members with an Armed Forces ID, and Chicago-area veterans with a qualifying service-connected disability can apply for a CTA Military Service Pass. Pace gives free rides to active-duty personnel in uniform. Metra sells reduced one-way and 10-ride tickets to active-duty personnel who show a military ID, but the discount doesn't apply to monthly tickets.
Which Program Should You Apply For?
You get SNAP or FRESH and you're under 65: apply for Access at GetAccess.org.
You're 65+ or have a disability and your income is under the BAP limit: apply for Benefit Access first, then Ride Free.
You're 65+ or have a disability but earn more than the BAP limit: get a Reduced Fare permit, and consider the $35 30-Day pass if you ride often.
You're a parent: check whether your child's school issues Student Ventra Cards.
Quick Checklist
Have your SNAP or FRESH case information, or your proof of age, disability or Medicare, ready
Apply online at GetAccess.org, or call (312) 913-3110 for a paper application
For Ride Free, get approved for Benefit Access first (1-800-252-8966)
Watch your mail: Access permits arrive in 7 to 10 business days
Write down when your permit expires. Reduced Fare permits don't renew themselves
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