CTA, Pace Set To Launch Ventra In August

By Chuck Sudo in News on Jun 26, 2013 2:00PM

Chicago Transit Authority and Pace announced Tuesday that their shared fare service, would become available to select customers in August with a full rollout in September.

Starting in July, Chicago Card Plus and registered Chicago Card customers will receive notifications via email and standard mail of the transition to Ventra, and a few weeks later will receive their new Ventra Cards in the mail with instructions on how to activate. Pace will hold outreach events across the region where customers will receive information about the program and ask questions of Pace staff about it. As part of the outreach efforts, mobile “Ventra buses” will visit area festivals and events to educate riders about the program.

Chicago Card users and students at schools participating in the U-Pass program will be the first groups to receive Ventra cards. Once the program is fully implemented in September old fare media such as Chicago Cards, Chicago Card Plus and striped fare cards will be phased out. CTA and Pace will provide instructions to transfer any existing fare balances from old cards to Ventra and will have through Spring 2014 to transfer those fares.

CTA announced last month they would waive the $5 fee charged to riders to register for Ventra if they sign up this year. Riders may be able to register for per-ride and unlimited use Ventra cards or use a Ventra debit card that can be used for non-transit purposes. Cash will still be accepted on buses but single ride fares will cost $3.