What is
the Circuit
Ride Free
Program?
■ State legislation
provides free rides
on fixed-route
transit (regularly
scheduled CTA,
Metra and Pace
buses or trains)
for any Illinois
resident who is
enrolled in the Illinois
Department on Aging Circuit
Breaker program*.
■ The RTA-issued Circuit Ride Free
permit must be renewed annually.
■ The Circuit Ride Free permit
replaces the Seniors Ride Free
permit.
*If you do not qualify for the RTA’s
Circuit Ride Free program, call
312-913-3110 for information about
the Reduced Fare program.
For more information or to enroll
in the Illinois Circuit Breaker
program, visit www.cbrx.il.gov
or call 1-800-624-2459
(TTY: 1-888-206-1327)
If you are already enrolled in the
Illinois Circuit Breaker program
and need information on the RTA
Circuit Ride Free program, call
312-913-5414
TTY: 312-913-3111 or visit
www.RTAchicago.com
CIRCUIT
RIDE
FREE
PROGRAM
Travel Information
312-836-7000
TTY: 312-836-4949
Toll Free TTY: 1-800-439-2202
www.RTAchicago.com
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For qualifying seniors and
people with disabilities in the
Illinois Department on Aging
Circuit Breaker Program
CIRCUIT
RIDE
FREE
PROGRAM
Who is eligible?
■ Low-income Illinois residents who are
enrolled in the Illinois Department on Aging
Circuit Breaker program as a person with a
disability or as a senior aged 65 or older.
All people with disabilities and seniors
must be enrolled in the Circuit Breaker
program to apply for a Circuit Ride Free
permit. Apply at www.cbrx.il.gov or call
800-624-2459 (TTY:1-888-206-1327) for
more information.
For those NOT enrolled in the Circuit
Breaker Program:
■ The Illinois Department on Aging Circuit
Breaker program provides grants to
low-income Illinois residents who are
seniors or a person with a disability.
Eligible residents must meet
household income levels ranging*
from $27,610 or less for an individual,
$36,635 for a two-person household
to $45,657 for a household of three or
more people.
*Range effective as of January 1, 2010
For those currently enrolled in the
Circuit Breaker program but DO NOT
have an RTA Circuit Ride Free Permit:
■ Circuit Breaker enrollees will need to fill out
an application at the RTA’s Customer Service
Center at 165 N. Jefferson in Chicago or at
one of the registration centers around the
six-county RTA region. Applicants can also
request an application by calling
312-913-3110.
■ Applicants can find an RTA registration
center by visiting www.RTAchicago.com
or by calling 312-913-5414
(TTY: 312-913-3111).
■ When applying, you will need a
government-issued picture I.D. and a photo
of yourself that is 1½ inch square. Some
centers may charge up to $5 for taking your
photo. The RTA’s Customer Service Center
does not charge for taking your photo.
■ The RTA will verify eligibility and issue a
magnetic stripe card called a Circuit Ride
Free Permit within 3-4 weeks. This permit
will allow for free rides on CTA, Metra and
Pace fixed-route buses and trains.
For those already enrolled in the
Circuit Breaker program and currently
have an RTA Reduced Fare Permit:
■ All current RTA Reduced Fare Permit holders
who have not already applied for a Circuit
Ride Free Permit must complete a short
application and return it to the RTA.
■ The RTA will verify eligibility and issue a
magnetic stripe card called a Circuit Ride
Free Permit within 3-4 weeks. This permit
will allow for free rides on fixed-route transit.
■ Applicants can request an application by
calling 312-913-5414 (TTY: 312-913-3111).
How do I use my Circuit Ride Free
Permit to get free transit?
■ On CTA and Pace buses, you will insert the
permit into the fare box or insert it in the
turnstile for the CTA trains. It will display that
you may board free of charge.
■ When riding Metra, you must display the
Circuit Ride Free Permit on board the train.
■ The Circuit Ride Free Permit expires
annually. You must reapply each year for
Circuit Breaker eligibility before receiving a
new permit.