Metra and Pace offered free rides on the first day of school to K-12 students and one accompanying adult across the six-county region. The program represents the fourth consecutive year of the back-to-school free-ride offering. Full-time grade school and high school students in the region can purchase reduced fare tickets for Metra and Pace fixed-route services year-round. Reduced fare use requires a valid school ID or a signed letter of certification on school stationery. Home-schooled students qualify with a notarized letter naming the homeschooling provider. Children aged 7-11 are eligible for reduced fares, and children 7 or under ride free with a fare-paying adult.
K-12 students attending any public or private school, as well as an accompanying adult, were able to ride trains and buses for free on that day. "We are excited to be able to continue this back-to-school tradition for students across the six-county region," Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski said. "A free, reliable, and convenient ride on the first day helps set the school year on a positive course."
"We're proud to make the first day of school a little easier for families," Melinda Metzger, Executive Director of Pace Suburban Bus, added. "Offering free rides on our buses helps students start the year on the right foot and introduces them to the independence and reliability public transit can provide."
In addition to this special offer for the first day of classes, full-time students enrolled in grade school or high school in the six-county region are eligible to purchase reduced fare tickets for all travel on Metra and Pace fixed-route services.
When using a reduced fare ticket, students must present either a valid school ID or valid letter of certification from their school (on school stationery bearing the student's name, school name and authorized signature).
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