Summer is here and for most college students that means heading home to work. For some, work back home in larger cities means a commute. In Chicago, the Metra line, a fleet of commuter trains, is a popular mode of transportation from all adjacent suburbs and neighborhoods for commuters of all ages. The Metra line offers one way, round trip, 10 ride, and monthly passes for all age groups. The Metra line also offers discounts to different user groups. Unfortunately, college students are not one of those discounted user groups.
According to Metra, senior citizens, families, children under 11, high school students, grade school students, and members of the U.S military receive discounted rates to commute to and from the city. Even home schooled students receive discounted rates! The Student Fares section of Metra's website states,
"Full time students enrolled in an accredited grade school or high school can purchase a reduced one-Way, 10-Ride or Monthly Pass. Student fares are in effect at all times. When purchasing a ticket, students must present a valid letter of certification from their school (on school stationery) or present a valid school I.D. (both are valid through the end of the calendar year) bearing the student's name, school name and authorized signature. Failure to do so will result in full fare payment."
I am an active Metra user year round whether I am home or not and appreciate the services Metra has to offer, but after looking at the different discounted user groups I feel a bit cheated as a student currently enrolled in college. As college students, we have our fair amount of expenses. Some of these expense include tuition, books, room and board, rent, grocery bills, etc. Some of us support ourselves, live on our own, work multiple jobs, and pay for school out of pocket most likely racking up student loans along the way. In my opinion, college students are more in need of discounted rates than high school and grade school students who are dependents relying on the financial support of others. Although, that is not to say that there are high schoolers that support themselves and work multiple jobs to help their families.
Metra is currently making it harder for high school students to ride as well. When my high school aged sister went to purchase a monthly pass at a student rate she was denied. Her high school ID did not have the date of graduation on it resulting in the Metra worker doubting my sister was currently enrolled. She was told to show her driver's license and instructed to have a letter from her principal explaining in further detail her date of graduation for the next time she wanted to purchase tickets at a discounted rate.
Over the years, there have been a handful of online petitions signed by a couple thousand college students to create a college student discounted fare, but nothing has happened. Why is a discounted rate such a stretch Metra?
The bottom line is that as full time students, currently enrolled and paying tuition we should be given a discounted rate to purchase Metra tickets to get to and from the city to work and even recreate. We travel to the city to make money and save it, not to have to fork it all out on transportation. Metra, give us a break!
