More Changes Made To CTA's Ventra Plan

By Chuck Sudo in News on May 24, 2013 7:45PM

Chicago Transit Authority announced the removal of more fees from Ventra, the upcoming shared fare system the transit agency and the suburban Pace bus system will switch to this year. Tribune transportation reporter John Hilkevitch reports the $5 fee for riders who get the card this year will be waived.

Nerdwallet.com reports the following fees have also been waived,

- There is no withdrawal fee or surcharge for customers who use Allpoint ATMs (There are around 1,000 Allpoint ATMs in Chicago and 40,000+ nationwide)
- The $2 live customer service fee is eliminated
- Paper statements will cost $1, down from $2
- Check refunds will cost $5, down from $6

The major complaint about Ventra— its ability to double as a pre-paid debit card—remains. The changes will cost CTA at least $500,000 in fees that would have been collected from the debit card option. CTA spokesman Brian Steele told Hilkevitch the agency “reduced the amount to zero.”

The $5 fee to obtain a Ventra card will be reinstated in 2014, while the contract between Ventra and CTA reserves the right to change the other fees at any time.

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