CTA offering students free rides for first day of school

The Chicago Transit Authority is once again offering free rides for the first day of school next week.

The CTA is partnering with Butcher Boy Cooking Oils to provide free bus and train rides on Monday, Aug. 26, to students at public and private elementary and high schools, as well an accompanying adult.

It coincides with the first day of school for Chicago Public Schools.

“We are proud to partner with Chicagoland-based Butcher Boy Cooking Oils once again to continue this special back-to-school tradition for Chicagoland students,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “We believe students should have an affordable and convenient ride to school and a smooth first day back, which sets the course for a successful school year.”

In 2023, the First Day, Free Rides program provided nearly 49,000 free rides to students and their parents or guardians. Since the program’s debut in 2011, more than 1.3 million free rides have been provided.