The Chicago Transit Authority is working with 48 area high schools an ID card program that will provide students with school ID cards that double as CTA transit passes. The students will also receive the benefit of a reduced fare when they use their new cards for riding the bus or train.

The student IDs come in the form of a smart card which is similar to the CTA Chicago Card that allows users to add value at CTA vending machines. The aim of the ID program is to get students on board, so to speak, with public transit. It will also help to substantially cut CTA administrative costs. Another benefit of the smart card student IDs is their added value makes it less likely that students will misplace them. Schools that tested the program recently reported that the number of lost students IDs dropped 50% once students received their new CTA smart cards.