RTA/CTA Transit Benefit Fare Program
The RTA/CTA Transit Benefit Fare Program helps companies and their employees take advantage of tax law changes to reduce commuting costs. Plus, it’s an easy way to support clean air and reduce traffic congestion. Employers can provide employees with up to $230 a month, $2,760 a year, for transit or vanpool commuting expenses as tax-free benefits in accordance with the Transportation Equity Act of the 21st Century (TEA-21) and Section 132(f) of the IRS Code.

We make it easy for everyone to save money. Once enrolled, employers can purchase CTA Transit Cards, Chicago Cards and/or RTA FareChecks and we’ll deliver them right to your company. Or give employees CTA’s Chicago Card Plus for ultimate convenience and savings. Learn more about the RTA/CTA Transit Benefit Program, visit www.lesstaxingcommute.com.

CTA Chicago Card Monthly
The CTA Chicago Card Monthly is a smart card pass providing unlimited rides for an entire month for $86. This is an easy way to give employees unlimited rides on CTA trains and buses and Pace suburban buses for an entire month. There is a non-refundable $5 replacement fee for any Chicago Card Monthly that is lost, stolen, or damaged. We will waive this fee for first-time users.

Chicago Card Plus
The CTA offers the Chicago Card Plus as an option for the RTA/CTA Transit Benefit Fare Program. It is available as a pay-per-use card in monthly reloadable amounts of $30, $45, $60 or $80. Or use it as a 30-day option for the $86 monthly fee, providing unlimited rides for 30 days. There is a non-refundable $5 replacement fee for any Chicago Card Plus that is lost, stolen, or damaged. We will waive the fee for first-time users. Learn more about the Chicago Card Plus.

CTA Transit Cards
CTA cards can be ordered in denominations of $30, $35, $50, $70 and $86,  and include the CTA's regular and reduced fare 30-day passes.

RTA FareCheck
The RTA FareCheck is a voucher for transportation anywhere on the RTA system, the South Shore Railroad, and certain Amtrak Routes.* Employers can purchase RTA FareChecks in any denomination, from $10 to $230, and distribute them to employees. These are tax-deductible to employers and a tax-free benefit to employees who use the CTA, Metra, Pace, the South Shore, Amtrak or vanpools.

For more information, call 1-800-531-2828 between 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Central Time, or inquire by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . To order RTA FareChecks, visit www.rtatransitbenefits.com. Download the RTA Transit Benefit Order Form - PDF Version (.pdf) MS Word Version (.doc)

*Amtrak accepts RTA FareChecks for the purchase of multi-ride tickets. They can be used for the purchase of Monthly and 10-Ride tickets for the Hiawatha Service trains between Chicago and Milwaukee.

The checks can also be used to buy 10-Ride tickets for:

The Lincoln Service between Chicago and St. Louis
Illini and Saluki trains between Chicago and Champaign/Carbondale
Illinois Zephyr & Carl Sandburg trains between Chicago and Quincy
Wolverine Service between Chicago and Ann Arbor/Detroit/Pontiac
Pere Marquette between Chicago and Grand Rapids
Blue Water between Chicago and East Lansing/Port Huron