CTA Fares – Effective January 1, 2006 -------------------------------------- Dear CTA Customer: The Chicago Transit Authority’s mission is to provide quality, affordable transit services that link people, jobs and communities. For the past two decades, CTA has labored to fulfill its mission despite contending with insufficient funding. In 2005, we came close to implementing deep service cuts and layoffs of more than 2,000 employees as a result of insufficient funding. But, over the past year, the CTA has received vital, broad-based political support from the Illinois General Assembly, Governor Blagojevich and the new leadership at the Regional Transportation Authority. They provided an additional $54 million for 2005 to help avoid deep service cuts and widespread layoffs. The CTA’s long-term financial problems are not yet solved. The agency continues to face serious financial challenges due to long-standing structural flaws in the way our region funds public transit. Despite this, in 2006 we are committed to maintaining existing service levels in order to give the General Assembly, Governor Blagojevich and the RTA additional time to devise a fair solution to regional transit funding. The CTA uses about 24 million gallons of fuel annually. In 1999, fuel costs of $12.5 million made up 1.5 percent of the budget. For 2006, fuel costs are budgeted at $48 million and comprise 4.6 percent of the proposed budget. To help offset spiking fuel prices, fares will increase from $1.75 to $2 for cash-paying customers and for rail customers who use magnetic strip transit cards. While cash transfers will no longer be sold, transfers will continue to be available for $0.25 to Transit Card and Chicago Card customers using both CTA and Pace. The fare change takes effect January 1. Fares will not change for customers who use unlimited ride passes, Chicago Cards, Chicago Card Plus and bus customers who use magnetic strip transit cards. In addition, the $5 purchase fee for Chicago Card and Chicago Card Plus is waived through March 31, 2006. This brochure provides further details on the fare structure and available fare options. The fare increase was carefully structured to minimize any adverse impact on our customers, especially those who can least afford it. These customers currently recognize the value of unlimited-ride passes. Under the new fare structure passes will continue to provide a great value for the money. Although the CTA’s financial challenges are real, and continue, we are very encouraged by the regional support and cooperation we have experienced in the past year, and by the support you have given us through increased ridership. Carole L. Brown Chairman Frank Kruesi President -------------------------------------- Fare Chart Current Full Fares - 2005 Current Cash $ 1.75 Cash Transfer (See footnote 1) $ 0.25 Full Fare Transit Card-Bus $ 1.75 Full Fare Transit Card-Rail $ 1.75 Full Fare Chicago Card/Chicago Card Plus $ 1.75 Chicago Card/ Chicago Card Plus Bonus (See footnote 2) 10% for $10 added Transit Card, Chicago Card and Chicago Card Plus Transfer (See footnote 3) $ 0.25 1-Day Pass $ 5.00 2-Day Visitor Pass $ 9.00 3-Day Visitor Pass $12.00 5-Day Visitor Pass $18.00 Full Fare 7-Day Pass $20.00 Full Fare 30-Day Pass $75.00 Other Fares (See footnote 4) Unchanged Rush Shuttle Fare (See footnote 5) $ 1.00 Current Reduced Fares - 2005 Current Cash $ 0.85 Cash Transfer $ 0.15 Transit Card (bus and rail) (See footnote 6) $ 0.85 Transit Card Transfer (bus and rail) (See footnote 3) $ 0.15 Reduced Fare 30-Day Pass $ 35.00 -------------------------------------- New fare structure Full Fares – effective January 1, 2006 Cash $ 2.00 Cash Transfer (See footnote 1) Eliminated Full Fare Transit Card-Bus $ 1.75 Full Fare Transit Card-Rail $ 2.00 Full Fare Chicago Card/ Chicago Card Plus $ 1.75 Chicago Card/ Chicago Card Plus Bonus (See footnote 2) 10% for $20 added Transit Card, Chicago Card and Chicago Card Plus Transfer (See footnote 3) $ 0.25 1-Day Pass $ 5.00 2-Day Visitor Pass $ 9.00 3-Day Visitor Pass $12.00 5-Day Visitor Pass $18.00 Full Fare 7-Day Pass $20.00 Full Fare 30-Day Pass $75.00 Other Fares (See footnote 4) Unchanged Rush Shuttle Fare (See footnote 5) Eliminated Reduced Fares – effective January 1, 2006 Cash $ 1.00 Cash Transfer Eliminated Transit Card (bus and rail) (See footnote 6) $ 0.85 Transit Card Transfer (bus and rail) (See footnote 3) $ 0.15 Reduced Fare 30-Day Pass $ 35.00 -------------------------------------- Fare chart footnotes 1 Paper transfer cards will no longer be issued to customers paying with cash. Transfers will be available to customers using Transit Cards and Chicago Cards only. Paper transfer cards issued by Pace will no longer be accepted by CTA. 2 For every $20 purchase, $22 of value is added to the card. 3 A transfer allows two additional rides within two hours of issuance. Transfers will be available to customers using Transit Cards, Chicago Card and Chicago Card Plus only. Transfer cards will no longer be issued to customers paying with cash. 4 This category includes special event services such as routes 128 and 154, as well as special contractual fare arrangements such as the U-Pass program or service subsidized by institutions or employers. 5 Rush Shuttle bus fares will be $2 for cash and $1.75 for Transit Cards and Chicago Cards. To continue to encourage regional transfers, CTA will work to integrate the Link-Up Pass program with the Chicago Card system. 6 The 10 percent bonus on Reduced Fare Transit Cards will be retained, $2 for every $20 of value added. -------------------------------------- 2006 CTA Fare Structure The following pages outline CTA fares, effective January 1, 2006. As you will note, the prices of most CTA fares remain unchanged. Full Fare The full fare of $1.75 increases to $2 for customers paying cash and rail customers who use magnetic strip transit cards to pay their fares. * Full fare cash and magnetic strip transit card rail fare is $2. * Full fare remains $1.75 with Chicago Card, Chicago Card Plus and magnetic strip transit card on bus. * Chicago Card and Chicago Card Plus change from a 10 percent bonus for every $10 of value added to every $20 of value added. Full Fare Transfer Transfers are no longer issued when paying with cash. The full fare transfer remains 25 cents for customers using Chicago Card, Chicago Card Plus and magnetic strip transit cards on both bus and rail service. * Allows two additional rides within two hours after the first boarding. * Transfer eligibility is automatically recorded on magnetic strip transit cards, Chicago Cards and Chicago Card Plus cards. Chicago Card The full fare remains at $1.75 for Chicago Card customers. The Chicago Card is one of the fastest and easiest ways to use CTA. Simply touch the Chicago Card to the touchpad located on the front of the farebox or rail turnstile—and go. The fare or transfer is automatically deducted. * From December 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006, the $5 Chicago Card fee is waived. * Chicago Cards offer a 10 percent bonus for each $20 of value added. * Chicago Cards are available at CTA’s main office at 567 West Lake Street, online at www.transitchicago.com, by calling 1-888-YOUR-CTA (1-888-968-7282), Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., or pick up an order form on CTA buses or at rail stations, or online and mail it to CTA. * Chicago Cards are also available at Chicago Currency Exchanges, Jewel-Osco and Dominick’s Finer Food stores. * Chicago Cards can be purchased with $22 of value already loaded on the card ($20 + $2 bonus) or with a zero ($0) balance. * Chicago Cards can be registered to protect against loss or theft. The CTA will restore the balance that was on your missing Chicago Card at the time of notification. * If lost or stolen, the replacement fee is a non-refundable $5. Chicago Card Plus Chicago Card Plus is an account based version of the Chicago Card. The Chicago Card Plus allows customers to automatically add more value to their cards via a credit card when the balance runs low. The Chicago Card Plus is also available through employers participating in the RTA/CTA Transit Benefit program. * From December 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006, the $5 Chicago Card Plus fee is waived. * The Chicago Card Plus allows customers to order a card, manage their accounts online and add value to their cards automatically each time the balance falls to $10. * The Chicago Card Plus offers two fare choices— a 30-Day Pass or a Pay-Per-Use card. * Chicago Card Plus offers a 10 percent bonus for each $20 of value added. * Chicago Card Plus are available at CTA’s main office at 567 West Lake Street, online at www.transitchicago.com, by calling 1-888-YOUR-CTA (1-888-968-7282), Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., or pick up an order form on CTA buses or at rail stations, or online and mail it to CTA. * Chicago Card Plus can be purchased with $22 of value already loaded on the card ($20 + $2 bonus) or with a zero ($0) balance. * Chicago Card Plus is automatically registered to protect against loss or theft. The CTA will restore the balance on your Chicago Card Plus account at the time of notification. * If lost or stolen, the replacement fee is a non-refundable $5. CTA Passes CTA offers a number of unlimited ride passes to meet a broad range of needs. Under the new fare structure, the prices for passes will remain unchanged. Full Fare Passes * Prices of unlimited ride passes are unchanged • 1-Day Pass is $5 • 7-Day Pass is $20 • 30-Day Pass is $75 • Activated with first use • Available at Currency Exchanges, select Jewel/Osco, Dominick’s and Cub Foods stores, and on the Internet • Cannot be shared or recharged • Passes valid on CTA and Pace • Link-Up Pass is $36 and available from Metra Visitor Passes * Prices of all Visitor Passes are unchanged • 1-Day Pass is $5 • 2-Day Pass is $9 • 3-Day Pass is $12 • 5-Day Pass is $18 • Activated with the first use • Available at Cumberland, Rosemont and O’Hare stations on the Blue Line; Midway station on the Orange Line; Chicago Avenue station on the Red Line; the Water Works Visitor Center and Union Station. Also available at visitors centers, airports, museums, HotTix, Navy Pier or on the Internet • Cannot be shared or recharged • Passes valid on CTA and Pace Rush Shuttle Fares The rush shuttle fare is eliminated. Fares for rush shuttle service will be the same as the standard fare, $2 for cash paying customers and $1.75 for customers using a magnetic strip transit card, Chicago Card or Chicago Card Plus. Rush shuttle bus routes operate during morning and evening rush hours between downtown Metra stations and the surrounding areas. Reduced Fares CTA offers a range of reduced fares for use by: * Children ages 7-11 * Grade school and high school students with CTA Student Riding Permit * Seniors and riders with disabilities with RTA reduced fare permit or card The new reduced fares are as follows: * Reduced fare increases from 85 cents to $1 when paying cash * Reduced fare transit cards will provide a 10 percent bonus for every $20 of value added * Reduced fare transfers are not available for cash but remain unchanged at 15 cents for reduced fare customers using a magnetic strip transit card • Allows two additional rides within two hours after the first boarding * Reduced fare 30-Day Pass remains unchanged at $35 CTA farecards and passes are sold at more than 700 locations throughout the Chicagoland area, including Jewel, Dominick’s, select Cub Foods, Currency Exchanges, CTA headquarters at 567 W. Lake Street, CTA rail stations, select tourist destinations and visitor centers, and online at www.transitchicago.com. Not all locations carry all types of farecards. For a complete list of locations, visit our web site and click on “Fares” or go to www.transitchicago.com/maps/salesoutlets.pdf. Customer Service: 1-888-YOUR CTA TTY: 1-888-CTA-TTY-1 (1-888-282-8891) Weekdays: 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (After hours, please leave a voicemail message.) Email Customer Service at: ctahelp@transitchicago.com www.transitchicago.com