CTA offers promotional fare discounts to support the City’s reopening—and make transit an even more affordable option for residents, visitors this summer
Just in time for summer, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) today announced a promotion on fares that will make public transit even more affordable and convenient for residents and visitors.
As part of the City’s “Open Chicago” initiative to reopen the city and bring back events, festivals, dining, and other indoor and outdoor activities, the CTA is reducing the price on three of its existing unlimited-ride pass products to welcome back customers, attract new riders and encourage existing customers to use transit more often.
The promotional pass products are a central component of the CTA’s recently announced When You’re Ready, We’re Ready campaign.
"Throughout the pandemic, CTA services have been vitally important for so many residents," said Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. "Now, as our city begins to reopen and our residents begin to restore their sense of normalcy by returning to work and in-person activities, these services will be even more critical. This new fare promotion will not only ensure that this transition is as accessible as possible and build back the CTA's ridership, but it will also further prove that a robust transit system is essential to Chicago's social and economic recovery from this pandemic."
From Memorial Day weekend (Friday, May 28) through Labor Day (Monday, September 6), the CTA will offer attractive discounts on three of its unlimited-ride passes:
- One-day pass: $5 (down from $10)
- Three-day pass: $15 (down from $20)
- Seven-day pass: $20 (down from $28)
The promotional fares will be available for purchase at Ventra Vending Machines at CTA rail stations, on the Ventra app, on the Ventra website, at over 1,000 retail locations, and by calling Ventra customer service at (877) NOW-VENTRA (669.8368)
“As Chicago reopens, there is no better and more affordable way to get back to the things we used to do than to take the CTA,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “There is nothing like Chicago in the summertime—festivals, farmer’s markets, sporting events, backyard barbecues and so much more—and the CTA is ready to take you to all the places that will make this summer a memorable one.”
”I am happy to see a safe return of increasing ridership to the iconic and vital CTA service,” said Dr. Allison Arwady, Commissioner of Chicago Department of Public Health, “My team has worked with CTA through this pandemic to ensure that public health protocols are in place to keep our transit riders safe and healthy. I am confident that wearing masks and following the posted guidelines on buses and trains will continue to keep us all safe as more riders return to public transit.”
CTA ridership has been steadily increasing since the start of the year, and the promotional fares will help sustain that ridership growth, as riders return to transit for work and recreation. Currently, the CTA serves more than 500,000 riders on an average weekday.
The CTA is already the region’s most affordable transportation option, and the promotional fares will offer even more value to customers. With the One-Day Pass, customers can ride all day for the cost of one round-trip fare (which is $5 on trains, $4.50 on buses). The Three-Day Pass is ideal for weekend travel or employees working flexible days. And with the Seven-Day Pass, customers essentially pay less than $3 per day for unlimited rides for the week and the weekend.
“Transit is an important part of the region’s recovery,” Carter said. “And as people get back to their normal routines, the CTA will continue to work hard every day to provide the clean and comfortable environment our customers deserve.”
For more information on the fare promotion, visit transitchicago.com
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