METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Chicago transit agencies will complete Ventra transition by July

The agencies and Cubic Transportation Systems have made several improvements to the system, from software upgrades to improvements to the Ventra call center.

March 17, 2014
1 min to read


The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Pace will complete the transition to its Ventra open contactless fare payment system by July 1.

Currently, 81% of CTA customers and nearly 60% of Pace customers are using Ventra, with more than 1.5 million Ventra transit accounts currently active.

Ad Loading...

The transition calendar has three phases:

  • May 1—Customers can no longer buy magnetic stripe cards or autoload/reload Chicago Card/Chicago Card Plus.

  • June 1—Customers can no longer reload magnetic stripe cards or use Chicago Card/Chicago Card Plus.

  • July 1—Customers can no longer use magnetic stripe cards. Pace customers paying with cash will no longer be issued a Transfer Card. All customers will be transitioned to Ventra.

CTA, Pace and Cubic Transportation Systems have made several improvements to the system, from software upgrades to improvements to the Ventra call center. 

Ad Loading...

Later this spring, customers who wish to transfer unused balances on Chicago Card and magnetic stripe fare cards will have the option of mailing in their old cards and having any unused balance transferred to their registered Ventra Card. This will exclude unlimited-ride 1-day, 3-day, 7-day and 30-day pass products, which must be used up in advance of the full transition. The CTA will provide more details about the mail-in option later this spring.

More Bus

paratransit bus
SponsoredMarch 16, 2026

Measuring the True Cost of Paratransit Fleets

What truly drives the cost of a paratransit fleet? Beyond the purchase price, seven operational factors quietly determine maintenance frequency, downtime, and long-term service reliability. This whitepaper explores how these factors shape lifecycle cost and what agencies should evaluate when selecting paratransit vehicles.

Read More →
Cover photo for METROspectives with The Bus Coalition
Busby Alex RomanMarch 13, 2026

Inside The Bus Coalition’s Push for Stronger Federal Transit Investment

In this conversation, TBC’s Executive Director Ed Redfern, President Corey Aldridge, and Washington Representative Joel Rubin outline the coalition’s key policy priorities, the challenges facing transit agencies, and how industry stakeholders can work together to strengthen the voice of bus transit at the federal level.

Read More →
Cover photo for Biz Briefs dated March 6, 2026
Technologyby Staff and News ReportsMarch 6, 2026

Biz Briefs: Tolar Manufacturing Supports PSTA Spark Service and More

Stay informed with these quick takes on the projects and companies driving progress across the transportation landscape.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Passengers boarding a PRT bus
Busby StaffMarch 2, 2026

Pittsburgh Unveils 'Bus Line Refresh' Plan

Originally introduced in 2023 as the Bus Line Redesign, the effort has evolved into a more targeted update that maintains familiar routes while improving reliability, frequency, evening and weekend service, and connections across Allegheny County.

Read More →
Stickers and a paper bus for S3 bus line
Busby StaffMarch 2, 2026

Seattle's Sound Transit Breaks Ground on S3 Bus Line

S3 will connect communities along SR 522 with fast, reliable, battery-electric bus service from Shoreline South Station to Bothell via Kenmore and Lake Forest Park. 

Read More →
PRT bus stop with articulated bus.
Busby StaffFebruary 20, 2026

Pittsburgh Regional Transit Announces All-Door Boarding on the University Line

All-door boarding will allow passengers to pay while entering the front, middle, or rear doors of the University Line’s 60-foot articulated buses.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Patrick Scully, president at Complete Coach Works.
Managementby StaffFebruary 18, 2026

Complete Coach Works Names Patrick Scully President

He succeeds the company founder, Dale Carson, who remains chairman of the board. 

Read More →
A MARTA articulated bus.
Busby StaffFebruary 13, 2026

Atlanta's MARTA Sets Date for 'A-Line' BRT Launch

The five-mile Rapid A-Line connects Downtown Atlanta to Capitol Gateway, Summerhill, Peoplestown, and the Beltline’s Southside Trail.

Read More →
A Picture of Ster Seating's Parent/Child transit seating product.
Technologyby StaffFebruary 10, 2026

Ster Seating, Maryland Transit Launch First Parent/Child Transit Seat in North America

The configuration uses Ster Seating's Gemini seat platform to create a family-friendly floor layout specifically engineered to accommodate parents traveling with young children.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Rendering of Sound Transit's Renton Transit Center
Busby StaffFebruary 5, 2026

Seattle’s Sound Transit Breaks Ground on New Transit Center

The Renton Transit Center project will relocate and rebuild the Renton Transit Center to better serve the regional Stride S1 line, local King County Metro services, and the future RapidRide I Line.

Read More →