Reminder: Free CTA Rides For Students Tomorrow On First Day Of School
By Jon Graef in News on Aug 25, 2013 6:30PM
Tomorrow, August 26th, is the first day of school for Chicago Public Schools, and, as it did last year, the Chicago Transit Authority is offering free bus and train rides to students. The program is in partnership with Sun-Times Media Productions.
Here's the deal: On Monday, August 26th, students and accompanying adults will be able to ride for free between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.
The Sun-Times reports that adults and children will be allowed through turnstiles and buses, and that operators won't ask for ID.
In a news release, CTA President Forrest Claypool, Sun-Times Editor-in-Chief Jim Kirk, and CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Burnett all praised the program as a means to get students to school on the vital first day.
Last year, 110,000 students rode for free, according to the Sun-Times.
Interestingly enough, the CTA news release about the free rides notes that August 26th will also see students receiving their brand new Ventra cards, which will replace the magnetic striped student and reduced-fare cards previously received by students.
Just think: the future of America can be as frustrated by Ventra as all of us grown-ups!