Bus Pass

All students enrolled at ETHS are eligible to receive a Student Ventra Card, which allows them to access Student Reduced Fares on CTA buses/trains and PACE buses. 

A Student Ventra Card is a reusable, contactless, hard plastic card capable of storing transit value. In order to receive a CTA Student Reduced Fare, a student must have a Student Ventra Card.

How to Get a Student Ventra Card at ETHS

ETHS issues Student Ventra Cards directly to students. Cards can be purchased for $2 from the Business Office (H108). Please note: Cards are not automatically activated at the time of purchase. Activation is handled by the CTA and may take 7–10 days.

The Student Ventra Card is valid for use on CTA for five years, so you do not need to purchase a new card each year. However, students must renew their Ventra privileges each fall for the new school year. If you are attending summer school, you’ll need to renew again in late spring.

To renew your Ventra card, [need information]. Do not throw your card away at the end of the school year.

Register Your Card

We strongly encourage parents/guardians to register Student Ventra Cards. Registering a card provides balance protection in case the card is lost, stolen, or damaged. It also allows for convenient online account management, including the ability to reload value or set the card to automatically reload when the balance is low. Additionally, registered users will receive important updates about student fares and Ventra services.

Registration is quick and easy and can be completed online at ventrachicago.com or by calling 1-877-NOW-VENTRA (1-877-669-8368).

Adding Funds

You can load money to your card in various ways:

• Online at ventrachicago.com
• Using the Ventra app
• At Ventra vending machines
• At participating retailers