You ride Chicago Transit Authority buses and trains free if you are an active duty service member, an actively drilling National Guard or Reserve member with a valid U.S. Armed Forces ID card, or a veteran with a VA disability rating of 10 percent or more or military disability retirement pay. Service members in uniform can just ask the rail station customer assistant or bus operator for a free ride; otherwise you need a valid Military Service Pass. The pass is not valid on Pace or Metra.
Request the pass in person at the Ventra Service Center, or mail a completed CTA Military Service Pass application with the required documentation to Ventra, CTA Ventra Military Pass Program, PO Box 8291, Chicago, IL 60680. Ventra is 877-669-8368 and CTA customer service is 888-968-7282, with TTY at 888-282-8891.
A valid U.S. Armed Forces ID card, or a VA letter showing a disability rating of 10 percent or more or documentation of military disability retirement pay, plus the documentation listed on the application.
