Irene Jackson – Librarian Room 206 Funston Elementary School October 18, 2013

1.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?

I. Changing Systems A.How is Ventra the same? B.How is Ventra different? II. Personal Account A.When will I receive my Ventra Card? B.How do I use the card? III. Common Concerns

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) began using magnetic stripe cards in the 1990s and the Chicago Cards in the 2000s (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).

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).

There 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).

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)

Ventra cards can be used in the same places as CCP (Chicago Transit Authority, 2013). In the event of cards that dont 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 to Ventra and I will try to get through to Ventra representatives on the phone.

1.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 for CC & CCP users (Hilkevitch and Smith, 2013).

Chicago Card Plus. (2013). Frequently asked questions. Retrieved October 14, 2013 from card.com/ccplus/faq.aspxhttp:// Chicago Transit Authority. (2013). Ventra. (2013). Retrieved October 14, 2013 from Google Images. (2013). Chicago Card Plus. (2013). Retrieved October 14, 2013 from rce=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=JL1dUoC6O9GqqAG94IDA Q&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1024&bih=659

Google Images. (2013). Ventra Card. (2013). Retrieved October 14, 2013 from =isch&source=hp&biw=1280&bih=657&q=chicago+car d+plus&oq=Chicago+Card&gs_l=img.1.2.0l7j0i5l j ac img crKYkfrfOt0#hl=en&q=Ventra+Card &tbm=isch&imgdii=_ Hilkevitch, J. and Smith, M. (2013). Chicago Tribune (2013). Ventra rollout: jammed phone lines, confusion. Retrieved October 14, 2013 from cta-ventra-card _1_ventra-rollout-ventra-card- chicago-cards

Roberts, B. (2013). CBS Chicago. (2013). CTA Ventra users run into problems. Retrieved October 14, 2013 from users-run-into-problems/ Ventra. (2013). How it works. (2013). Retrieved October 14, 2013 from