Homeschool benefits: Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport CTtransit service areas
Since October 1, 2026, riders ages 5-18 pay half fare on CTtransit local buses and CTfastrak: $0.85 for two hours, $1.70 for a day, or $30.60 for 31 days. CTtransit asks youth riders to show a student ID when boarding, so a homeschooled child needs an ID that CTtransit will accept.
Who qualifies
Is 5 to 18 years old
The discount applies to ages 5 through 18 only. At 19, riders pay the adult fare unless another discount applies.
Shows ID when boarding
CTtransit lists a student ID as the accepted youth ID. Its pages do not say what a child without a school ID can show, so ask customer service before you rely on another document.
Rides local or CTfastrak
Youth fares work on local service and CTfastrak.
What the fare saves
CTtransit's fare page lists the youth fares in effect since October 1, 2026, next to the regular local fares.
- 2-hour pass
- $0.85 ($1.75)
- All-day pass
- $1.70 ($3.50)
- 10-ride ticket
- $7.65 ($15.75)
- 31-day pass
- $30.60 ($63)
- Express routes 901-971
- Regular fare
Fare boxes do not give change, so pay the exact fare or buy a pass ahead of time.
How to ride at the youth fare
- Before you ride
Sort out an ID
Get the student ID CTtransit asks for, or call customer service to ask what a homeschooled child can show instead.
- Before you ride
Buy a youth pass
Buy 2-hour, all-day, 10-ride, or 31-day youth passes at sales outlets, online, by mail, or in the Token Transit or Transit app. Buying a pass does not require ID.
- On the bus
Show the pass and ID
Insert or show the pass and show the youth ID to the operator. You can also buy 2-hour and all-day fares on board with exact change.
- At age 19
Switch to the adult fare
The youth fare ends after age 18.
What it includes
Included
- Local bus service
- CTfastrak
Not included
- Express routes 901 through 971
- Riders 19 and older
Good to know
Homeschooled children qualify with an accepted ID
A homeschooled child can get the youth fare with an ID CTtransit accepts. The youth fare covers ages 5 through 18, but youth riders show a student ID when boarding, so call customer service to confirm.
Buying a pass needs no ID
CTtransit says purchases at sales outlets or through Token Transit do not require ID. The ID check happens when your child boards.
Who to contact about youth fares
CTtransit customer service answers fare and ID questions; New Haven riders can call 203-624-0151 and Stamford riders 203-327-7433.
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Connecticut
State law does not require a homeschool notice. The State Department of Education asks parents to tell their local school district that they intend to homeschool, but that request is guidance, not a legal requirement.
Connecticut sets these rules:
- Subjects: Instruction in Connecticut must include reading, writing, spelling, English grammar, geography, arithmetic, US history, and citizenship.
- Testing: Connecticut does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
- Records: Connecticut does not require homeschool records, but keeping them is recommended.
- Teachers: Connecticut does not require a teaching certificate or degree to homeschool your own child.
Read the Connecticut homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Connecticut
Questions parents ask
- Does the youth fare work on express buses?
- No. Express routes 901 through 971 charge the regular fare. The youth discount works on local buses and CTfastrak.
- What does an all-day pass cover?
- Unlimited local rides until 2:00 a.m. the day after you activate it. A pass activated between midnight and 2:00 a.m. expires at 2:00 a.m. that same day.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
A student fare helps with trips to classes and activities. We handle the learning at home, with lessons built around your child's interests and feedback on their work.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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