CTA’s Ventra CardIrene Jackson – LibrarianRoom 206 Funston Elementary School October 18, 2013

Guiding Questions1. Why is CTA eliminating the Chicago Card, Chicago Card

Plus, and the magnetic strip cards?2. How is the Ventra Card different from the other

payment methods?3. Is Ventra the same as the other cards in any way?4. When will I receive information about changing my

Chicago Card Plus(CCP) to the Ventra Card?5. Where can I use my Ventra Card?6. What happens if the Ventra Card reader says that my

card has no value?7. Can I still pay with cash?8. What happens if I need to pay a ½ price fare?9. I was able to pay for multiple people with my CCP. Can

I still do this with Ventra?10.What are some common concerns about the Ventra

Card?

OutlineI. Changing Systems

A. How is Ventra the same?B. How is Ventra different?

II. Personal AccountC. When will I receive my Ventra Card?D. How do I use the card?

III. Common Concerns

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Research Findings: Changing Systems The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) began using magnetic stripe cards in the 1990’s and the Chicago Cards in the 2000’s (Chicago Transit Authority, 2013). CTA has decided to eliminate the Chicago Card (CC), the Chicago Card Plus (CCP), and all magnetic stripe cards because they believe that switching to the Ventra Card system will make the transit system more efficient (Chicago Transit Authority, 2013). This efficiency includes reduced boarding time for those who formerly used the magnetic stripe cards, increasing payment options (riders can now also use contactless bank cards), and releasing CTA from managing fare collection (Chicago Transit Authority, 2013).

Research Findings: Changing Systems The Ventra Card mirrors the CC and CCP in that riders are allowed to hold their cards above a reader to register payment on busses and trains “tap and go/board” and accounts can be registered so that riders can receive credit for money that remains on the account in the event of loss (Chicago Card, 2013; Chicago Transit Authority, 2013; & Ventra, 2013). The Ventra Card can also be used on both the CTA and Pace transit systems (Chicago Card, 2013; Chicago Transit Authority, 2013; & Ventra, 2013). While CC users could only add value at train stations (Chicago Card, 2013) and CCP users could monitor their accounts online (Chicago Card, 2013), Ventra users are able to monitor their accounts and add value online and at participating retail locations (Chicago Transit Authority, 2013 & Ventra, 2013).

Research Findings: Changing SystemsThere are some major differences:1. Ventra can be used as a debit card (Chicago Transit

Authority, 2013 & Ventra, 2013). 2. Ventra allows the use of contactless bank cards to pay

fares (Chicago Transit Authority, 2013 & Ventra, 2013). 3. The single ride/transfer paper ticket option has

returned (Chicago Transit Authority, 2013 & Ventra, 2013).

4. The option to link to smartphones is slated for future implementation (Chicago Transit Authority, 2013 & Ventra, 2013).

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Research Findings: Personal Account Ventra cards were supposed to be mailed to current CC and CCP users in August (Chicago Transit Authority, 2013). Current CC and CCP users were expected to activate and begin using their Ventra cards in September (Chicago Transit Authority, 2013).Neither CC or CCP will be active after November 15, 2013 (Chicago Transit Authority, 2013).

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Research Findings: Personal Account

Ventra cards can be used in the same places as CCP (Chicago Transit Authority, 2013). In the event of cards that don’t appear to have value, CTA personnel are currently being told to allow passengers to move on into the bus or train station (Roberts, 2013). Cash is still excepted on buses; however, the only way to have transfers with single use rides is to purchase single use tickets at train stations (Chicago Transit Authority, 2013). I was not able to locate answers to my questions regarding how to pay for half price fares or multiple riders though I did spend quite a bit of time reading the information provided on both the CTA and Ventra websites. I sent an email to Ventra and I will try to get through to Ventra representatives on the phone.

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Research Findings: Common Concerns1. Difficulty with activation

(Hilkevitch and Smith, 2013).

2. Long wait time / disconnected phone calls (Hilkevitch and Smith, 2013).

3. Cards have not arrived as promised (Hilkevitch and Smith, 2013).

4. Cards may “freeze” (Hilkevitch and Smith, 2013).

5. Communication problems via email for CC & CCP users (Hilkevitch and Smith, 2013).

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ReferencesChicago Card Plus. (2013). Frequently asked questions. Retrieved October 14, 2013 from http://www.chicago- card.com/ccplus/faq.aspx

Chicago Transit Authority. (2013). Ventra. (2013). Retrieved October 14, 2013 from http://www.transitchicago.com/ventra/default.aspx

Google Images. (2013). Chicago Card Plus. (2013). Retrieved October 14, 2013 from http://www.google.com/search?q=Chicago+Card+Plus&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=JL1dUoC6O9GqqAG94IDA Q&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1024&bih=659

ReferencesGoogle Images. (2013). Ventra Card. (2013). Retrieved October 14, 2013 from https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm

=isch&source=hp&biw=1280&bih=657&q=chicago+card+plus&oq=Chicago+Card&gs_l=img.1.2.0l7j0i5l3.2575.8603.0.13068.12.10.0.2.2.0.107.752.8j2.10.0....0...1ac.1.28.img..0.12.767.crKYkfrfOt0#hl=en&q=Ventra+Card &tbm=isch&imgdii=_

Hilkevitch, J. and Smith, M. (2013). Chicago Tribune (2013). Ventra rollout: jammed phone lines, email confusion. Retrieved October 14, 2013 from http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-10-08/news/chi- cta-ventra-card-20131007_1_ventra-rollout-ventra-card- chicago-cards

ReferencesRoberts, B. (2013). CBS Chicago. (2013). CTA Ventra users run into problems. Retrieved October 14, 2013 from http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/08/27/cta-ventra-

users-run-into-problems/

Ventra. (2013). How it works. (2013). Retrieved October 14, 2013 from https://www.ventrachicago.com/howitworks/