Some Students to Get Free Bus Fare to School

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The city will use a $50,000 gift from a local philanthropist to fund a free bus fare program for select public high schools. The mayor, Chicago Transit Authority President Forrest Claypool, Chicago Public Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard and Chicago Board of Education Vice President Jesse Ruiz made the announcement Monday at one of the schools that will participate in the pilot program.

Chicago philanthropist Wendy Abrams provided the funds that the five schools will evenly split -- $10,000 each.

The five schools have been selected for the CTA Free Fare Card Pilot are: Clemente, 1147 N. Western Avenue, in West Town; Richards, 5009 S. Laflin Street, in New City; Sullivan, 6631 N. Bosworth Avenue, in Rogers Park; TEAM Englewood, 6201 S. Stewart Avenue, in Englewood and Wells, 936 N. Ashland Avenue, in West Town.

The announcement about the program was made at Wells High School and piggybacks on a similar program the school started. Last school year, Wells created the Transportation Incentive Program that gave students free CTA fare cards to use for bus fare to and from school. Participating students signed a contract promising to not be absent more than 10 days per semester, late more than six times and would not have disciplinary problems.

Under the program announced Monday, four other schools will participate in the free fare card program that the city hopes will help students go to school and get there on time. Mayor Rahm Emanuel said he got the idea for the pilot program from the 25 students who are part of the Mikva Challenge Mayoral Youth Commission, who also meet and talk with the mayor throughout the year about youth-oriented issues in city.

This pilot was generated by our students, for our students, and serves as a reminder that when we focus on what our children need, we find solutions, said Emanuel. In addition to the existing reduced CTA fare program for CPS students, this pilot program will help get our young people to school on time, so they can take advantage of more time in the classroom with our teachers every day of the school year.

Recently, as the citys year-round (Track E) schools prepared to start the school year, CPS, CTA and the mayor announced that the reduced fare program that had been in effect for the thousands of public school students would be enhanced to complement the expanded school day. The program announced Monday will be in addition to the reduced fare program and both cards are valid for CTA travel from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on school days.

Getting our students to class on time each and every day of the school year is our priority, and many of our students rely on public transportation to travel between school and home, said CPS CEO Jean-Claude Brizard. This pilot helps ensure our students can take advantage of the new full school day.

CPS students will be able to ride the bus to and from school on the first day of the school year, Tuesday, under the First Day, Free Rides, program, officials announced.

"CTA is proud to continue to partner with community leaders and the Chicago Public Schools to help children access the full education they need to excel," said Claypool. "For many families and students the school day starts not when the bell rings, but when our bus and train doors open. This pilot program will make it even easier for students to get to and from school so they can spend more time in the classroom.

The program will be evaluated after the end of first semester to see if it will continue, officials said.

By Rhonda Gillespie

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