Ventra
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| Location | Chicago |
|---|---|
| Launched | 2013 |
| Technology | |
| Operator | Cubic Transportation Systems |
| Manager | RFID |
| Currency | USD |
| Stored-value | Pay-Per-Ride and/or Passes |
| Unlimited use | Ventra Card |
| Validity | |
| Retailed |
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| Variants |
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| Website | www.ventrachicago.com |
Ventra is an electronic fare payment system for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Pace, which replaced the Chicago Card and the Transit Card automated fare collection systems. Ventra (purportedly Latin for "windy," though the actual Latin word is ventosa) launched in August 2013, with a full system transition slated for July 2014. The payment system includes several options of payment, including a contactless smart card powered by RFID, a single day or use ticket powered by RFID, any personal bank-issued credit card or debit card that has an RFID chip, and a compatible mobile phone. Ventra is operated by Cubic Transportation Systems.
In November 2011, the Chicago Transit Board approved a $454 million, 12-year contract for an Open Standards Fare System, making it the largest automated fare collection contract ever placed in North America. The contract was structured such that CTA was able to implement the system with no upfront costs. The new fare system is viewed to be the backbone for the universal fare system the Illinois General Assembly mandated by 2015 for the CTA, Metra and Pace, according to CTA President Forrest Claypool. Metra was offered the opportunity to participate in the Ventra program during meetings with the CTA, but the commuter railroad initially declined. Reports in August 2012 stated that Metra was considering its options, and in August 2013 Metra officially announced it would begin planning to accept Ventra.
Residents and local media were critical of the lack of communication from the CTA regarding this new payment system, but CTA officials said they planned to do extensive public outreach before the new system was activated.
Post-activation, users have reported cards taking as long as five weeks to arrive in the mail, cards that did not work even after payments were applied, issues activating cards, and calling the Ventra customer service line and waiting on hold for half an hour or more—or being disconnected while waiting on hold. In response to issues during the roll out of Ventra the CTA announced on October 9, 2013, that it would reinstate the ability to add money to the old fare options until issues with the roll out were corrected. At the time CTA also announced that the December 15, 2013 deadline for the complete transition was still in effect.
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Wikipedia