CHICAGO — The CTA will offer free bus and train rides Tuesday to encourage Chicago Public Schools students to attend the first day of school.

In 2016, Mayor Rahm Emanuel's First Day, Free Rides program provided approximately 128,000 free rides to students and their parents or guardians on the first day of school, according to a statement from his office.

Tuesday's rides are free for students and their accompanying parents or guardians.

“Convenient and reliable transportation is an important factor in a student’s success in the classroom,” Emanuel said. “Thousands of Chicago Public Schools students rely on public transportation to travel to and from their classes, and by providing free rides on the first day we can getting them started on the right note.”

During the rest of the year, elementary and high school students pay 75 cents to ride the CTA from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday when school is in session. Outside of school hours, children age 7-11 pay $1 to ride the bus and $1.10 to ride the train.

For more information, go to transitchicago.com.