Board authorizes free first-day-of-school rides for students in 2025 and 2026 with sponsor support

The Chicago Transit Authority board approved an ordinance to provide free rides to all school-age children and one accompanying adult on the first day of school for Chicago Public Schools in 2025 and on a date to be determined for 2026.

Director Lee presented the ordinance and said the program will be effective on the first day of school for CPS students in 2025, currently scheduled for Aug. 18, and that free rides will be valid between 5:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., the hours that student reduced fares normally apply. Although the program coincides with CPS’ opening day, staff said all school-age children and an accompanying adult are eligible for free rides on the designated date.

Sponsorship: For the first day of school in 2025, staff said CTA partnered with Butcher Boy Cooking Oils to sponsor the program. The sponsor will offset the cost of the free rides and provide additional advertising on the CTA system to promote the program; CTA staff described the arrangement as generating system-generated revenue through sponsorship. CTA said this is the fifth straight year of partnering with the Chicagoland-based, woman-owned company for the free-rides initiative and that the ordinance authorized the CTA president to accept sponsorship for the 2026 program.

Board reaction and vote: Directors commented in support of promoting the program at community events such as the Bud Billiken Parade. Director Lee placed the item on the omnibus and the board approved it by roll call; the motion passed 6–0.

Historical note: CTA staff said the agency began providing first-day-of-school free rides in February 2011 and has continued the program in successive years with sponsor partnerships.

Next steps: Staff will implement the program for Aug. 18, 2025, and will notify the public through CTA channels. The ordinance also permits the president to accept a sponsorship for the 2026 program.