Seniors and residents with disabilities across DuPage County can ride Metra, Pace and CTA trains and buses for free or at a reduced fare through Regional Transportation Authority programs now accepting applications online.

The DuPage County Health Department highlighted the programs in an announcement shared by the Village of Carol Stream on Aug. 18, noting that many local residents may not know they qualify.

Here's who qualifies.

Reduced Fare Permit: Adults 65 and older, people with disabilities who are not ADA paratransit certified and anyone with a valid Medicare card can get reduced-rate rides on all three transit systems.

Ride Free Permit: Seniors and people with disabilities enrolled in the Illinois Department on Aging's Benefit Access Program pay nothing on CTA, Metra and Pace fixed routes.

Access Pilot Program: Residents who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits can ride Metra at a reduced fare. The program launched in 2024 and, under the NITA Act signed this year, will become permanent and expand to include CTA and Pace in fall 2026.

As of December 2025, more than 271,000 people across the six-county region held active permits in these programs, according to RTA data. That included roughly 146,000 seniors with Reduced Fare Permits and 75,000 seniors with Ride Free Permits.

Rideshare option for ADA-certified riders

Separately, Pace's Rideshare Access Program lets ADA-certified riders use Uber or UZURV for same-day trips at $3.25 per ride, covering up to $30 in rideshare value. As of July 1, eligible riders can apply to increase their monthly cap from 30 to 40 subsidized rides.

How to apply

All permits can be applied for, renewed or replaced at fares.rtachicago.org. Residents can also call 312-836-7000 for help with applications.

Kirk Dillard, chairman of the RTA Board of Directors, said on June 1 when the authority announced the NITA Act transition that riders "will begin seeing the benefits of new funding through more security personnel, expanded service, improved fare programs and better customer information across the region."

Under the NITA Act, all transit fares across the six-county region, including DuPage County, are frozen until at least July 1, 2027.

For questions about these resources, residents can contact Julio Leal at the RTA at [email protected].