CTA unveils new vending machines

The Chicago Transit Authority is installing new express farecard vending machines that will allow customers to use credit cards to purchase and add value to CTA farecards.  

Using the express farecard machines, customers will be able to purchase and add value to either magnetic strip transit cards or Chicago Cards. When paying with a credit or debit card, the minimum value that can be added is $5. As a security measure, the maximum value that can be charged to a card is $25 each calendar day.  

The first five of 60 machines have already been installed. After a 30-day testing period, the remaining 55 express farecard machines are expected to be installed over the next four months at more than 45 CTA rail stations, allowing CTA to relocate some of the existing cash-based farecard vending machines to stations that currently have only one machine available, improving access for customers at those stations. The machines were purchased as part of a larger contract with Cubic Transportation Systems that also included the purchase of 30 wheelchair accessible turnstiles and additional parts to maintain the new equipment once installed. 

Funding for the $4.47 million purchase of the express vending machines came from CTA bonds.