“What if I have a Senior Reduced Fare Permit?”
If you currently have a Senior Reduced Fare Permit, you should have received a notice from the RTA to replace it with a Seniors Ride Free Smart Card.  Please fill out the form and return it to the RTA. If you have not received a notice to replace your permit, call Customer Service at 312-913-3110. Since you are transitioning to a Seniors Ride Free Smart Card, you will not be required to take another photo.

“What if I have never applied for a reduced fare card before?”
Now is the perfect time to take advantage of RTA’s Seniors Ride Free program.

For seniors living in the RTA service region: If you are an Illinois resident, aged 65 or older and live in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry or Will county, you are eligible for free transit on fixed routes operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace. Click here for more information.

For seniors living outside the RTA service region: If you are an Illinois resident, aged 65 or older but live outside of our service region, you are still eligible for our reduced fare rate. All seniors must apply in person at the RTA’s Customer Service Center at 165 N. Jefferson in Chicago. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Or apply at any one of our 200 registration sites in the region.

Seniors Ride Free Registration Sites - PDF Version (.pdf) Microsoft Word Version (.doc)

To find a site near you, call 836-7000 from any local area code. At the registration center, you will be required to present:

1. A government-issued picture identification card that verifies your age (drivers license, state of Illinois ID card, alien registration card or passport).
2. A wallet-sized color photo of yourself that is approximately 1 1/2" square. Do not wear a hat, scarf or sunglasses in the photo. Some registration centers may charge up to $5 for taking your photo. The RTA’s Customer Service Center does not charge for this service.

Applying for the Senior Ride Free Smart Card Permit or Senior Reduced Fare Permit can only be done in-person. You should receive your new Senior Reduced Fare Card in 3-4 weeks.

“What if I do not live in RTA’s service area and I have a Senior Reduced Fare Card?”
The current Senior Reduced Fare Permit can still be used on all CTA, Pace and Metra lines. It will serve seniors who do not live within the six-county region and are eligible to pay the reduced fare.

“What if my Senior Reduced Fare Card has expired?”

After April 1, 2009, all seniors who reside in the northeastern region are required to have Senior Smart Cards if they want to continue to enjoy free rides on the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) rail and bus, Metra and Pace bus. Seniors can apply for their smart card by calling (312) 913-3110.

Download the RTA Seniors Ride Free program brochure

English PDF Version (.pdf)   Spanish  PDF Version (.pdf)