The Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA), formerly the Regional Transportation Authority, was created by the Illinois General Assembly and Governor JB Pritzker to make transit across northeastern Illinois work for riders as one regional transit system. 

NITA sets regional fares, service standards, and schedules across the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and Pace; plans and funds transit investment; and oversees system performance and finances. NITA also issues Reduced Fare and Ride Free permits, assesses eligibility for ADA Paratransit service, and oversees specialized travel training for people with disabilities and older adults. We service the Northeast Illinois counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will.

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What is NITA's Mobility Management Division?

•  The NITA's Mobility Management Division strives to increase awareness and independence by connecting older adults and people with disabilities to information about Metra, Pace, and CTA buses and trains, NITA programs, and local transit options within the NITA region (Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, McHenry, and Will County). Additionally, this division provides Group Transit Education Seminars and one-on-one Travel Training throughout the NITA region.

• To increase awareness and independence, the NITA Mobility Management Division has partnered with sixty (60) plus registration sites to provide regular training on assisting older adults and people with disabilities applying for NITA Fare permits. 

• How can we assist your site?

We provide each site with: 

• • Sufficient ongoing stock of NITA Ride Free and Reduced Fare applications/brochures with pre-paid postage return envelopes; 

  • Support to the site staff to address questions and supply needs regarding NITA services; and 

  • Annual and as-needed training. 

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Who are the current NITA Affiliant Registration Sites?

• There are sixty (60) plus Registration Sites throughout the NITA region. You can find the current Registration Sites by visiting our NITA Registration Site Locator. Within the locator, it will list the services and requirements for each site; this information varies.

• What are your registration site's responsibilities?

Your site is responsible for:

• • Providing ongoing customer assistance with applications for NITA Fare Programs free of charge, with the exception of a small donation for a photo fee;

  • Identifying a staff contact for NITA correspondence;

  • Mailing all completed NITA Fare program applications using NITA pre-paid postage envelopes with the site's center code written on the front to NITA’s processing center within 1 week of application completion. NITA Replacement applications must be sent to NITA, PO Box A3542, Chicago, IL 60690-3542;

  • Protecting NITA Fare Program customers' private personal information (PPI);

  • Participating in informational meetings or webinars hosted and scheduled by NITA to receive updated information about NITA Fare Programs, procedures, and processes;

  • Remaining an active Senior Health Assistance Program (SHAP) site for the Illinois Department on Aging that can assist customers in completing the Benefit Access Program application, if applicable;

  • Notifying NITA within 24 hours of any changes to the services your site provides related to NITA Fare Programs; and

  • Provide written notice within 7 days of any changes in the status or location, primary contacts/personnel, and Affiliate websites or URLs.

• How does your site assist customers?

Your site will: 

• Assist NITA Fare Program customers in completing Reduced Fare, Ride Free, and/or Access permit applications;

• Take pictures of applicants using their site's camera, computer webcam, tablet, and/or phone for their NITA permit, if applicable; and

• Complete NITA's Release of Information (ROI) with the customer to communicate with NITA on the customer's behalf when they are not present.