NITA Reduced & Ride Free Fare Programs (for Pace, Metra & CTA)

Reduced Fare Programs

For Seniors 

NITA-issued reduced fare permits allow seniors (65+) to ride fixed routes on Pace, CTA and Metra at a reduced rate if they pay with their NITA-issued Ventra Card or present a valid permit when paying. Apply for the Reduced Fare permit here.

For People with Qualifying Disabilities

NITA-issued reduced fare permits allow seniors and people with qualifying disabilities to ride fixed routes on Pace, CTA and Metra at a reduced rate if they pay with their NITA-issued Ventra Card or present a valid permit when paying. Apply for the Reduced Fare permit here.

For Children/students

Reduced fares are also available to children aged 7 to 11 as well as grade school, middle school and high school students aged 12–20 presenting a valid school ID.

For Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Recipients

NITA's Access program enables Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to ride Pace, Metra and CTA at a reduced fare. Eligible riders can apply for the program at GetAccess.org using their SNAP decision notice letter.

Riders in all the above categories can load all reduced fare passes onto their Ventra cards to automatically pay the reduced fare for rides.

Ride Free Programs

Free fares on Pace fixed-route buses are provided to riders who are:

• Certified for ADA Paratransit
• Children under 7 (up to two children per fare-paying adult)
• Active-duty military personnel in uniform
• Police officers and firefighters in uniform or with badge and ID
• Older adults and people with disabilities who are enrolled in the Illinois Department on Aging’s Benefit Access program. Please visit www.nita.illinois.gov for more information.

The following bus services and transfers are also free:

• Niles Free Bus (Route 410, 411 and 412)
• Schaumburg Trolley
• Rosemont Circulator
• Ravinia Festival Direct
• Transfers from all service to a Pace fixed route
• Transfers from a Premium route to another Premium route
• All second transfers

Free Rides on Fixed Routes for ADA Certified Riders!

Riders with disabilities who are certified for ADA Paratransit by the NITA can ride for free on CTA, Metra, and Pace fixed route buses.

Did you know that all of Pace’s fixed route buses are fully accessible for seniors and riders with disabilities? These routes can connect you to train stations, schools, hospitals, jobs, and other important destinations throughout the suburbs, and don’t require a reservation to ride.

Pace’s fixed route buses feature ramps, dedicated seating areas, audio and visual stop announcements, and other accessibility features. Certified ADA Paratransit customers can now ride these fixed route buses for free!

Riders should tap their ADA Paratransit card on the Ventra reader on Pace and CTA. Doing so won't incur a charge to your Ventra account; it simply allows us to accurately count our ridership. 

Pace On Demand, ADA Paratransit, Taxi Access Program (TAP) and Rideshare Access Program (RAP) trips are NOT included in the free fare program. However, ADA certified riders can still ride Pace's On Demand services at a reduced rate.

Travel Training

NITA also offers a individualized training that teaches riders with disabilities and older adults how to use Metra, Pace and CTA buses and trains.

This training is free except for the cost of transit fares during training sessions. Travel training sessions are led by professionals who are knowledgeable about transportation accessibility, and have experience working with people with disabilities and older adults.

A certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist is available to provide one-on-one travel training to participants who are blind or have low vision.