Important Reminder for CTA Student Reduced Fare Riders
A Student Ventra® Card is a reusable, contactless, hard plastic card capable of storing transit value. In order to receive a CTA Student Reduced Fare, a student must have a Student Ventra Card.
The Student Ventra Card for CPS students may be purchased only through your child’s school. Student reduced fare is available to full-time students aged 7-20 years old enrolled in an elementary or high school. Ventra offers expanded student benefits as a new pilot funded by the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) Act. Now, students aged 7-20 are eligible for student fare of $0.75 at all times (including non-school hours) on the CTA system, Pace regular routes, and Pace On Demand, with the ability to transfer for free with their Student Ventra Card between CTA and Pace within two hours of the first tap.
For non-CPS students: Schools or parents can apply for a Student Ventra Card using forms on this page.
Adding value & passes
You can reload transit value online at ventrachicago.com, by phone at 1-877-NOW-VENTRA, via the Ventra Mobile App, at all CTA rail station vending machines and at more than 1,000 retailers and currency exchanges across Chicago.
Registration
The CTA strongly encourages parents to register the Student Ventra Card to protect their balance in the event the card is lost or stolen, and to have access to online account management. Registration is quick and easy and can be done over the phone or online at ventrachicago.com. Students’ personal information is not shared with Ventra, and any replacement cards must be ordered by the school administrator where your child is enrolled.
Student Reduced Fare Riders FAQs
1. What is a Student Ventra Card?
The Student Ventra Card is a contactless hard plastic card capable of storing transit value and providing enrolled students with student reduced fare rides on CTA and Pace Suburban Bus Service. The Student Ventra Card is reusable and will only be student fare entitled if your child is enrolled as a student at an elementary or high school.
2. What is the price of student reduced fare?
See the CTA fares page for detailed information on Student Reduced Fare and other fare types.
3. How will my child be able to add transit value/passes to a Student Ventra Card?
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, via the Ventra Mobile App, at CTA rail station vending machines and at participating retail locations.
Cash can be used to pay for bus rides. Cash will only be accepted on buses after tapping the Student Ventra Card to receive a student reduced fare rate. It can be loaded onto the Card at Ventra Vending Machines and at participating Ventra Retail Locations.
4. Am I required to register the CPS Student Ventra Card with the CTA?
No, Card registration is optional but recommended. You can still add value and check the Card balance at participating Ventra Retail Locations and Ventra Vending Machines without registering your child’s Card. You can also check your unregistered Student Ventra Card balance online and over the phone.
Please note: Transit passes and value will only be protected on Student Ventra Cards that are registered. In the event an unregistered card is lost, stolen or damaged, there is no ability to preserve unused funds.
5. What happens if the CPS Student Ventra Card is lost, stolen or damaged?
If your child’s Card is lost, stolen or damaged, your child can purchase a new Student Ventra Card through their school.
6. What about students at non-CPS schools?
CPS students need to get their card through their school. Non-CPS schools and students can use this form on this page to apply for a permit by mail.
7. Do Student Ventra Cards expire?
Yes, 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 back of your blue Student Ventra Card. Your Card will work through the last date of the month in which the card expires. Continuing enrolled CPS students may obtain a replacement card via their school administrator. All existing transit value and passes will be automatically transferred to the new Card.