Public Transportation Offers Best Travel Option for Summer Festivals

June 18, 2015

Children ride free or reduced fare when with a fare-paying adult

CHICAGO – Summer fun is just a short ride away and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is reminding riders that they can beat the traffic by taking the fastest and most convenient way to get around the region- public transportation. Take a bus or train to enjoy family time, meet friends at an event or just enjoy our great region. And now that Chicago Public Schools are officially out for the summer, parents can enjoy taking their children around town for the festivities with these transit discounts:

CTA

Children between the ages of 7 and 11 are able to ride a CTA bus or train at a reduced fare. Children under the age of 7 are free with a fare- paying customer.

Metra

From June 15 through Labor Day, up to 3 children ages 11 and under ride FREE with a fare-paying adult. On weekends, adults can ride on both Saturday and Sunday for just $8 with Metra’s Weekend Pass.

Pace

Children under age 12 pay a reduced fare ($0.85). Children under the age of 7 ride free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult passenger. No more than two children can enjoy this discount with each fare-paying adult passenger.

RTA’s Trip Planner can help you plan your travel and identify routes with ADA accessible services.  It is the only website in the region that provides a variety of options for getting around by using transit, walking, bicycling and driving. For more information about how the RTA Trip Planner can help you plan your next trip, visit www.RTAChicago.org. 

Don’t forget to get out this weekend and enjoy some of these featured events:

• Blues on the Fox - On June 19 and 20, festival goers can enjoy a weekend at RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora, with some of the hottest blues artists and delicious local cuisine, all while overlooking the gorgeous Fox River. Visit the Blues on the Fox  for more information.
• Elgin Rib Fest – Enjoy this family friendly rib fest at Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave., Elgin on June 20 and 21.  Choose from different vendors who will be serving up the sweet taste of tangy smoked ribs. Visit Elgin Rib Fest for more information.
• Taste of Randolph – Enjoy an array of cuisines from all American burgers to Mediterranean dishes along a stretch of Randolph Street, between Peoria Street and Racine Avenue, from June 19 - 21. You’re sure to find something to satisfy your palette while taking in the wonderful sights and great music. For more information about this festival, visit the Taste of Randolph.

###

About the RTA

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is the only transit agency charged with regional financial oversight, funding, and transit planning for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace bus and paratransit.    Riders take more than two million trips each weekday on the RTA region’s transit system in six counties with 7,200 transit route miles throughout Northeastern Illinois.  The Agency also provides customer services including online and telephone travel planning assistance and travel training for seniors and people with disabilities.  For more information, visit www.RTAchicago.org.