The plan will kick off with an ambassador campaign in which staff will visit 14-locations in Chicago and the suburbs to distribute information and answer customers’ questions about the benefits and fare policy changes
The agency operates the nation’s second largest public transportation system. On an average weekday, 1.6 million rides are taken on the system.
The CTA and Pace first introduced Ventra last month to select customers, including Chicago Public School students, U-Pass users and Chicago Card Plus customers. Ventra will replace all CTA and Pace existing fare media by Dec. 15, 2013.
Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) student Ventra fare cards are displaying $0 balances after money was loaded onto the cards online. The agency is fixing glitches as they hear about them. Ventra is scheduled to replace the current CTA and Pace fare-collection systems by 2014.
The Ventra system will offer transit customers the convenience and flexibility of a modern fare payment system, including faster boarding, account management and value protection.
More than 550,000 customers currently enrolled in the agency’s programs will receive new permits this fall that will enable them to take advantage of the Chicago Transit Authority and Pace’s new contactless fare payment system, using a single card to travel throughout the region.
Those who qualify for lower transit fares or are in the free-rides program won't be able to open a prepaid debit account when the agency's versions of the new Ventra fare card are available. The restriction was set to protect seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income residents from potential problems.
The new system, set to launch in summer 2013, will replace the current payment via magnetic stripe cards and Chicago Card/Chicago Card Plus.
One of the companies behind the Chicago Transit Authority’s Ventra open payment fare pass and debit card received an “F” rating from the Better Business Bureau. The rating was based on nearly 100 complaints in the last three years.
Beginning in summer 2013, Ventra will enable customers to pay for rides with contactless payment methods, including Ventra Cards; Ventra Tickets for single-ride and one-day passes; and personal bank-issued debit and credit cards equipped with a contactless chip.
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