CTA Giving Free Rides To Kids For First Day Of School
CHICAGO (WBBM) -- The city, the CTA and the Chicago Public Schools want to get as many children in class as possible on the first day of school Tuesday.
The CTA is hoping to facilitate that by allowing all school-age children to ride free to and from classes Tuesday. Adults accompanying their children will be allowed to ride free as well.
The offer is good for one day only. It is the first time the cash-strapped transit agency has made such an offer.
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"We are pleased to be able to offer this to the students, so that they will have every opportunity to get to school," CTA President Terry Peterson said.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard said they are hoping that parents will stick around, will get to know their children's teachers and will make a connection that will last through the school year.
CTA is picking up half of the estimated $100,000 cost of the rides, while seven corporate sponsors are paying the rest.
Peterson said approximately 150,000 children use CTA each school day, about 100,000 of whom attend Chicago Public Schools.
