Ventra
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Historian Sherman “Dilla” Thomas: the more Chicago improves its transit, the better life on the South and West sides will be
Thomas made his remarks at the Ventra electronic fare payment system's 10 year anniversary celebration.
October 4, 2023
The CTA finally answered my FOIA on its board’s low ridership – on the day I was put in a coma
The CTA didn't provide me a FOIA response for months, and then finally did so at a time when I was unable to read it.
May 24, 2023
New Ventra Card on iPhone and Apple Watch lets you pay by simply tapping your device
Today the CTA and Pace announced a convenient contactless way to use the Ventra card system, launching the Ventra Card on iPhone and Apple Watch fare payment option.
October 26, 2020
Recent CTA Upgrades I Appreciate, and Other Aspects That Can Use Some Work
Bus Tracker and Train Tracker are a godsend, but we need more 24/7 bus service, and using Ventra is still a pain in the neck.
July 13, 2019
Here’s Some of the Nitty-Gritty From the Proposed Divvy/Lyft Contract Amendment
Here are some details about the build-out deadlines, advertising rules, profit-sharing, and more.
March 29, 2019
Ventra Is Ditching Prepaid Debit Option, Adopting a Groovy New Card Design
The new card not only looks great, it does away with the arguably predatory prepaid debit option.
December 11, 2017
CTA: We Can’t Reduces Fees That Social Service Providers Pay on Ventra
The Chicago Transit Authority said that it's working to address some of the new burdens that the switch to Ventra has created for social service providers, as described in a study from the Chicago Jobs Council, which I reported about on Monday.
May 11, 2016
Study: Ventra Fees Cost Social Service Providers 140,000 Bus Rides Per Year
Ever since the Chicago Transit Authority and Pace switched from magnetic stripe fare cards to the Ventra smart card system in 2013, social service providers across Chicago have been spending more money on paying for their clients' transit rides, and giving out fewer rides. A new report from the Chicago Jobs Council details the burdens that Ventra fare policies and ticket ordering delays place on social service organization staff members and money dedicated to helping clients. The jobs council works to change laws and policies to increase access to jobs for marginalized workers.
May 9, 2016
Buy Metra Tickets and Reload a Ventra Account With Upcoming App
Imagine this scenario: You're running late to catch Metra's UP-North Line to Rogers Park and, because the trains run so infrequently, you really need to make this run. You don't have a 10-ride ticket in your wallet, the line for a ticket agent is too long, there are no vending machines at Ogilvie Transportation Center, and the conductors will charge you a $3 surcharge (soon to be $5) if you buy a ticket from them.
April 10, 2015
New Ventra App Takes Small Step Towards Transit Fare Integration
The forthcoming smartphone ticket app for Metra will also make it possible for Chicago Transit Authority and Pace customers to manage their Ventra transit accounts on their phones, the CTA announced last week. Even though the three agencies will spend $2.5 million on the app (plus nearly $16,000 in monthly fees), the Ventra app won't at first offer customers many more functions than the existing Ventra website.
October 22, 2014