Student fare hours are stupid. This policy needs to change. It won't.

I don't think elementary or high school students should have to pay for the CTA at all (especially given the fact that we can't find enough school bus drivers since the pandemic), but if they're going to keep it in place, I hate this policy:

CTA Student Reduced Fare is available for full-time students ages 7–20, for trips to and from regular day classes (at a public, parochial or private elementary or high school), Monday thru Friday, 5:30a-8:30p, on school days, with a Student Ventra Card.

This means that on a weekend, holiday, or break, these students do not get the benefit of the reduced fare. Need to go to the library to study? Full price. Meeting with your club/orchestra/team for practice or some other meeting? Full price. Volunteering? Full price. Cheaper for you and your friends to pile into a car and add more traffic and pollution to the city.

I think this policy is wrong (and I'm fully aware we have zero chance of getting it changed with the CPS and CTA budget situation.)