University Students: Are You Eligible For Metra Discounts?

Chicago's Metra line offers discounted tickets to senior citizens, families, children under 11, high school students, grade school students, and members of the U.S. military. However, college students are not eligible for discounted rates, which has been a source of frustration for many. While there have been petitions and discussions advocating for a discount for university students, it is unclear whether Metra will implement this change.

University of Illinois Chicago offers a reduced Metra fare with U-PASS+

The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) offers a reduced Metra fare with its U-PASS+ program. This program is a collaboration between UIC, Metra, and the UIC Student Affairs division. It is a pilot program that integrates a Metra reduced-fare program with the existing CTA U-PASS program.

Beginning in Fall 2024, UIC students who opt into the U-PASS program can choose to add Metra, thus activating U-PASS+. This allows students to have unlimited rides across any line, providing unprecedented access to the Chicagoland area and beyond. The benefits of U-PASS+ include avoiding traffic, exploring destinations such as Chicago's neighbourhoods and suburbs, easily visiting friends and family, reducing one's carbon footprint, and more.

The U-PASS+ program is optional, and all eligible students are assessed a transportation fee for each of the Fall and Spring semesters. For Fall 2024 and Spring 2025, the CTA U-PASS-only option is $163/semester, while the CTA U-PASS+ (which includes Metra) is $349/semester. The Summer 2025 rates are also available, with the CTA U-PASS-only option costing $125 and the CTA U-PASS+ costing $275.

To be eligible for the U-PASS+ program, students must be registered as full-time students and have a valid i-card to pick up their U-PASS. The U-PASS card is valid for five years, and discarding or losing the pass will result in a $50 replacement fee.

International students do not qualify for a Metra student discount

Metra, the commuter rail system in Chicago, offers a variety of discounts to different user groups. However, college students are not one of the discounted user groups. While senior citizens, families, children under 11, high school students, grade school students, and members of the U.S. military all receive discounted rates, international students do not qualify for a Metra student discount.

Full-time students enrolled in an accredited grade school or high school can purchase reduced one-way, 10-ride, or monthly passes. To obtain these discounted tickets, students must present a valid letter of certification from their school or a valid school ID. The ID must include the student's name, school name, and an authorized signature.

There have been petitions signed by thousands of college students to create a college student discounted fare, but as of 2024, no changes have been made. In 2024, the University of Illinois Chicago launched a pilot program, U-PASS+, which offers reduced Metra fares to UIC students. This program integrates a Metra reduced-fare program with the existing CTA U-PASS program, providing unlimited rides across any line.

International students specifically do not qualify for a Metra student discount, as indicated by a response to a query on TripAdvisor. The response states that Metra only accepts local college ID cards and does not accept the International Student Identity Card (ISIC). Therefore, international students do not qualify for the Metra student discount and must pay the full fare.

College students are not eligible for a Metra discount

College students in Chicago are not eligible for a discount on the Metra line, a fleet of commuter trains from the suburbs and neighbourhoods adjacent to the city. While Metra does offer discounted rates for senior citizens, families, children under 11, high school students, grade school students, and members of the U.S. military, college students are not included in this program.

Full-time students enrolled in an accredited grade school or high school can purchase reduced fare tickets and passes. However, college students are not eligible for this discount, even if they are enrolled full-time and taking classes within the Chicago metropolitan area. This has been a source of frustration for many college students in Chicago, who have started online petitions to advocate for discounted rates, but to no avail.

The University of Illinois Chicago has introduced a pilot program called U-PASS+, which offers reduced Metra fares to its students. This program integrates a Metra reduced-fare program with the existing CTA U-PASS program, allowing UIC students who opt into the U-PASS program to add Metra, providing unlimited rides across any line. However, this program is specific to UIC students and is not available to college students more broadly.

While college students in Chicago are not eligible for a Metra discount, they can explore other options for affordable transportation. For example, the CTA U-PASS for college students at select Chicago schools offers unlimited free rides during the semester for a fee. Additionally, there are reduced fare options for low-income riders and other special cases.

High school students get a 50% discount on the Metra monthly pass

Metra, the commuter rail system in the Chicago metropolitan area, offers a variety of passes and tickets, including One-Way Tickets, Day Passes, Day Pass 5-Packs, and Monthly Passes. While college students are not eligible for discounted rates, high school students get a 50% discount on the Metra monthly pass. This has been a source of frustration for some college students, who feel that they are in greater need of discounted rates than high school students.

To address this issue, the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) has launched a pilot program called U-PASS+, which offers reduced Metra fares to its students. Beginning in Fall 2024, UIC students who opt into the U-PASS program can add Metra, activating U-PASS+ and allowing unlimited rides across any line. The rates for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 are $349 per semester for the CTA U-PASS with Metra, while the CTA U-PASS only costs $163 per semester.

In addition to UIC, some other select Chicago schools also offer the CTA U-PASS for unlimited free rides during the semester for a fee. However, this pass is not valid with the Metra train lines.

For international students visiting Chicago, Metra does not accept the International Student Identity Card (ISIC) for reduced fares. They only accept local college ID cards.

Students must show valid ID or proof of enrolment for a discount

Metra offers discounted tickets to senior citizens, families, children under 11, high school students, grade school students, and members of the U.S. military. However, college students are not eligible for discounted tickets. This has been a source of frustration for many students, who have started petitions for reduced fares.

Full-time students enrolled in an accredited grade school or high school can purchase reduced fare tickets and passes. When purchasing a ticket, students must present a valid letter of certification from their school or a valid school ID. This must include the student's name, school name, and an authorized signature. The student must also display their ID or letter of certification along with their ticket to the conductor. Failure to do so will result in full fare payment.

The University of Illinois Chicago has launched a pilot program, U-PASS+, which offers reduced Metra fares to its students. Beginning in Fall 2024, UIC students who opt into the U-PASS program will have the option to add Metra, activating U-PASS+. This will allow unlimited rides across any line, providing unprecedented access to the Chicagoland area and beyond.

International students travelling to Illinois from Europe have reported that Metra only accepts local college ID cards for discounts.

Frequently asked questions