Simple or complicated?: CTA and Pace Ventra fare payment system

Ventra is a new fare payment system for CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) and Pace riders that includes a Ventra Cards, Tickets and use of personal contactless, bank-issued credit and debit cards. 

There were glitches when they began rolling out on Mon., Sept. 9. The RTA (Regional Transportation Authority), who is the keeper of the cards, vowed that it will be fixed before current cards are no longer accepted on Dec. 15. However, problems were reported across the CTA system which stopped selling the magnet cards as of Mon., Oct. 7, but will allow value to be added to those cards until Nov. 15. 

What is Ventra?
Ventra is the new fare payment system for both the CTA and Pace customers. The Ventra card is more than a transportation fare card. It has the option to also be a Debit MasterCard® that can be used for everyday purchases including transit fares. Thus you have a Transit Account. 

The Ventra Card will have separate transit and retail accounts on one card. Those who choose not to or don't want to use their bank cards, or those who do not have a bank account, can use these new reloadable cards for transit or for any other retail purchase where debit cards are accepted. Cards will be able to be registered online for account management, and quickly accept fund transfers from a bank account to the account on the card. You can also add value for both accounts with cash. 

Transit riders may also purchase a Ventra ticket which is a single-ride, a O'Hare single ride or 24, 72 or 168 hour pass. In addition personal, contactless, bank-issued credit and debit cards can be used for transit. 

The plan is to eventually allow use of compatible Smartphones instead of cards. 

Where are they sold?
The CTA and Pace are waiving the $5 one-time card purchase fee through the end of the year either online or by calling 877.669.8368 (877 NOW VENTRA) or in person at the Ventra Customer Service Center at 165 N. Jefferson St., Chicago, next to CTA headquarters. 

Customers who obtain a new Ventra card from Ventra vending machines at CTA rail stations or at about 700 independent stores and chains such as CVS/pharmacy, Jewel-Osco and Walgreens can easily have the one-time $5 fee immediately refunded as stored transit value on their card by taking a few minutes to register it online or by phone. 

Value may be added to Ventra cards at the same vending locations and online. 

According to a Chicago Tribune report, "Officials for Ventra's developer, Cubic Transportation Systems Inc., and the CTA said that when a customer uses a personal bank card with Ventra for a pay-as-you-go transaction, Ventra is configured to authorize in $5 increments and settle at the end of each day with the actual price."

Some customers, including U-Pass holders and Chicago Card Plus and registered Chicago Card holders, have already started receiving their Ventra cards as part of a phased distribution. Chicago Public School students received their student Ventra cards on the first day of school in August. 

When will reduced fare, ride free or ADA Paratransit permits be sent?
RTA began mailing new permits in September and all permits should be received by the end of November.

Disabled Reduced Fare and ADA Paratransit permits have been mailed and Disabled Reduced and ADA Paratransit customers should receive their new permits by the end of September.

Senior Reduced Fare permits have started to be mailed and all Senior Reduced customers should receive their new permits by the end of October.

Ride Free customers should receive their new permits by the end of November. 

What are fare rates?
Ride rates remain the same. 

How do you use them?

Tap and board is the mantra as to how to use the Ventra reader when using the CTA and Pace. This is true for using a Ventra Card, Ventra Ticket or contactless bankcards.

Though Ventra will replace all CTA and Pace existing fare media by Dec. 15, currently all the current cards may be used until:

 

• October 7  
• • Chicago Card and Chicago Card Plus will no longer be able to have value loaded on to them, either online or at CTA rail station vending machines.
  • Rail station vending machines will no longer sell magnetic striped stored value cards or period passes.
  • Pace offers a new 30-day premium pass for customers using Ventra.
• November 15
• • Chicago Card and Chicago Card Plus will no longer be accepted on CTA buses and trains, nor on Pace buses.
  • Customers will no longer be able to add value to stored value magnetic stripe cards. They will need to spend down balances or transfer their existing balances to Ventra cards.
  • CTA and Pace will no longer sell magnetic stripe period passes. Customers need to use up existing passes by December 15.
• December 15
• • The CTA and Pace will no longer accept any magnetic stripe fare cards.

What about existing cards?
Period passes, reduced fare passes, passes sold in bulk or any expired fare media cannot be transferred.

Value from up to five (5) eligible magnetic stripe and Chicago Cards can be transferred but the combined value of these cards must total $5.00 or more.

To transfer the values, customers must complete a Ventra Transit Account registration form. Use the form at the end of this document, or pick one up at the Ventra Customer Service Center (165 N. Jefferson St., Chicago) or on site at a Ventra balance transfer event. 

"Ventra balance transfer events exclude Chicago Card Plus,"according to Anne Alt at CHI.STREETS Blog  

Scheduled balance transfer events are:

• Portage Park, 4100 N. Long Ave., Tues., Oct. 8, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Garfield Park, 100 N. Central Park Ave., Wed., Oct. 9, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Humboldt Park, 1440 N. Humboldt Dr., Sat., Oct. 26, from 9 a.m.to 4 p.m.
• Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St., Sat., Nov. 30, from10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

What is a Ventra Ticket?
There are three types of Ventra Tickets:

1. Ventra Single Ride Tickets
2. Ventra O'Hare Single Ride Tickets
3. Ventra 1-, 3-, and 7- Day Tickets

Single Ride Tickets

O'Hare Single Ride Tickets

1-, 3-, and 7- Day Ventra Tickets

1-, 3-, and 7- Day Ventra Tickets are valid for unlimited regular non-premium bus and train travel on participating transit agencies' systems for one person for 24, 72, or 168 hours from time of first use.