In continuing efforts to assist customers in the transition to the Ventra fare-payment system, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) announced customer-friendly improvements to Ventra bus and rail card readers.

The enhancements include adding easy-to-understand graphic decals to every rail turnstile and bus Ventra reader to identify the optimal location for card placement. Featuring a yellow circle surrounding a contactless card, the new decals will help customers new to Ventra or infrequent users, including out-of-town visitors, with the placement of their Ventra or contactless card for easier payment and boarding.

Also, bus customers will soon notice that Ventra readers will be re-positioned to directly face customers as they get on the bus, speeding boarding and improving passenger flow onto buses at each stop.

Nearly three of every four rides taken on the CTA is now done with Ventra. These improvements, in addition to the significant system performance upgrades that have been made to Ventra in the last two months, will help CTA customers by further simplifying payment and boarding.

All decals are expected to be placed on more than 2,600 rail and bus readers by Jan. 6.