CTA buses are different than the Metra, correct? (Forest Park: how much, to buy)

[BlsdMama]

I'm so sorry to ask 101 questions!!

But while the Metra *bus* isn't affiliated with the CTA and the El, the RTA cards - like the 3 day visitor passes are good on both the El and the CTA buses? Yes?

RTA | Fare Information (http://rtachicago.com/travel/fareinfo.asp#cta - broken link)

This is what makes me think that. I'm sorry for asking, but I just wanted to doublecheck my info before deciding for sure to do park and drive. Last minute decisions are BAD for a family of eight. Better to have everything planned.

THANK YOU!

[Mel2882]

On a CTA card that I have, it states that the visitor passes are good for PACE buses, except route 835. So, you should be able to use a visitor pass for PACE buses, CTA buses, and the El. The Metra is the only thing you'd have to buy a separate ticket for.

[prairiestate]

There is no such thing as a Metra bus. CTA operates buses in the city and some nearby suburbs, usually just passing through in or out of the city. CTA also operates the EL, again in the city and some nearby suburbs. Pace operates the great majority of suburban bus service. Metra operates commuter rail only from the distant suburbs into the city. The RTA theoretically coordinates transit among the three agencies. In reality, they don't do a thing except waste limited transit funds on an extra level of bureaucracy. Metra fares are completely and totally seperate from CTA and Pace. As for CTA and Pace, it used to be that their fares were pretty much interchangable. Nowadays, good luck trying to figure out which passes are good on which system, or how much it's going to cost if you need to use both CTA and Pace to get to where you're going. Not that you need to worry about any of this. If you do go to the Forest Park Blue Line Station you will only be using CTA to get around, so you only need to be concerned with CTA fares. If you're a bit lost when you get to the station, look for a CTA employee to explain your options. Incredibly, many of them are actually somewhat helpful.

[prairiestate]

Originally Posted by BlsdMama

I'm so sorry to ask 101 questions!!

But while the Metra *bus* isn't affiliated with the CTA and the El, the RTA cards - like the 3 day visitor passes are good on both the El and the CTA buses? Yes?

To answer your question more directly, the answer is yes, the pass is good on both CTA buses and the El.

The bad news is, the visitors pass is not sold at the Forest Park station.

Click here for everything you need to know about visitors passes, and other CTA fares:

http://www.transitchicago.com/maps/fares.html#e (broken link)

You know, I never realized how complicated our system can be until now.

[BlsdMama]

Actually, SHOCKINGLY enough, I found not only where I could buy the Visitor Pass, but also where I can buy it on a Sunday morning! Score two points for me. See ya'all before noon!