CTA Ventra

[KC Ghost Rider]

Going to Chicago this Friday and need a 3-day CTA pass. My understanding is they switched to ventra. Does ventra come in a 3 day pass? How does this new system work and what are the best options? I don't need a long term card, just going to be there for 3 days. :help:

 

[the_traveler]

I'm not sure if they offer a 3 day pass, but I do know they offer a weekend pass. You can buy the passes from the machines near the METRA ticket counters at Union Station.

 

[Eric S]

I'm not sure if they offer a 3 day pass, but I do know they offer a weekend pass. You can buy the passes from the machines near the METRA ticket counters at Union Station.

Metra? or CTA?

 

[KC Ghost Rider]

I need CTA pass(es) from Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon for the L and buses.

 

[the_traveler]

The CTA pass machines are in the METRA ticket counter area.

 

[Eric S]

CTA offers 1-, 3-, and 7-day passes.

Metra offers a weekend pass.

 

[the_traveler]

My bad, I got both and the machines were right next to each other.

 

[PerRock]

If you have the time, you can buy them online here. At the very least you can see the available options. And yes there are a number of different pass options still:

https://www.ventrachicago.com/purchase/

peter

 

[Eric S]

My bad, I got both and the machines were right next to each other.

I should have been clearer in my initial question, too, rather than just leaving it as a question to you.

 

[KC Ghost Rider]

PerRock, outstanding information! So what I gleamed is one can buy these passes at CUS near the Metra counter or walk across the street to the CVS and a 3-days pass is available. This forum never disappoints :excl:

 

[SarahZ]

PerRock, outstanding information! So what I gleamed is one can buy these passes at CUS near the Metra counter or walk across the street to the CVS and a 3-days pass is available. This forum never disappoints :excl:

That is correct.

 

[SubwayNut]

I thought the CTA had abolished Magnetic strip fare card passes with VENTRA? So now you need a VENTRA card to load a $20 3-day pass on (that price has gone up a lot).

 

[SarahZ]

I thought the CTA had abolished Magnetic strip fare card passes with VENTRA? So now you need a VENTRA card to load a $20 3-day pass on (that price has gone up a lot).

The 3-day pass has been $20 for a while, even with the strip cards. I used to wait until Groupon had 50% off so I could get them for $10.

The trick with the Ventra card is that it has a $5 fee for new cards. That's refunded toward your transit balance, but you still have to pay the $20 upfront, I believe. So, it ends up at $25 for the weekend, but then again, the Ventra cards can be used as debit cards if you register them online. If someone comes to Chicago and has a balance leftover, they could always use it toward a small purchase when they get home.

You can also get a disposable, one-day Ventra card for $10.

 

[SarahZ]

http://www.transitchicago.com/travel_information/fares/unlimitedridecards.aspx

 

[NorthShore]

There is a Ventra customer service location at the CTA Headquarters at Lake & Jefferson (actually, in a smaller office space off to the side on Jefferson, which is part of the larger building.) If one is going to come to Chicago more than once in any 18 month period, especially, I would recommend going there and signing up/registering a new card. Then you'll have it available when you return - and without the $5 registration penalty. Apparently, if the card is inactive for an extended period (18 months or more?) then there is a monthly maintenance charge which will start to drain any value which you have remaining stored.

Passes and value can be added at the Ventra machines, in stations, and at other locations. I just added a 30 pass at a CVS the other day. They used to sell you a mag stripe card. Now they use a Ventra tap machine connected with their register which allows the pass to be added directly to your card.

Important to know is that Ventra will automatically use any passes you have stored on its card in descending order (30 day, 7 day, 3 day, 1 day) before deducting individual fares. You don't get to choose any other ordering. So, for instance, if you wanted to use a 7 day pass which is on the card, but not start it until Monday, paying only for the individual ride you happen to use Saturday, it would be best to have a second Ventra card available for this purpose (you get to name them for online tracking.)

At the moment, Chicago Cards and mag stripe Transit Cards can still be reloaded, but at limited values. I think you can even still buy a mag stripe card at a station (though not use it as a day pass of any sort.) CTA has announced that there is now (again) a planned phase out transitioning, as they have accepted Ventra's standards as finally working and acceptable. However, I am unaware of any details of this yet.

 

[SubwayNut]

I guess I got spoiled on my last two Chicago by those $8 or $9 CTA 3-day passes from Groupon. The last time I earned me a grand total of 8 AGR points since Groupon is in the AGR on line mall.

 

[CTANut]

Ventra passes are available at all stations in a single ride and day pass in ticket format, and in 3 day pass ticket format at OHare and Midway station. Anywhere else, you will need to purchase a Ventra card to get a 3 day pass. However, if you buy a card, load $15 on it, register it, and then buy a 3 day pass with transit value, you pay the same price as the 3 day ticket. There is also a 7 day ticket, but that is available only to groups.

 

[caravanman]

I am somewhat confused about the "special" 3 day "Ventra" card on sale at O'Hare airport CTA blue line...

From my reading of the fare information, a 3 day card is available as a 3 day pass for $15...

Is this a "stand alone" pass, or is one expected to purchase a card also ($5) to load the pass onto?

Fare Information - CTA

 

[NES28]

The CVS across the street from CUS was closed during the pandemic and did not reopen.

 

[Trogdor]

I am somewhat confused about the "special" 3 day "Ventra" card on sale at O'Hare airport CTA blue line...

From my reading of the fare information, a 3 day card is available as a 3 day pass for $15...

Is this a "stand alone" pass, or is one expected to purchase a card also ($5) to load the pass onto?

Fare Information - CTA

The machines should be able to sell a non-reloadable ticket if you don’t want to spend the money to buy a card. If you have a smart-phone with tap-to-pay technology, you can also download the Ventra app and have a Ventra card stored in your phone’s wallet. However, I don’t know offhand if that requires a US billing address or not (I can just buy a pass with Apple Pay and store it on my Ventra card on my phone; but I recall having trouble years ago when I had a Canadian address and couldn’t get Ventra to accept that, but this was pre-phone wallet era).

 

[Old MM]

Easiest is to buy one day paper passes as needed. There’s no additional charge and there’s also no savings in buying a 3 day pass which is $15.
The day pass on CTA is a true 24 hour pass and you choose when to start your 24 hour clock.

 

[chadamfleetrailfan]

Has anyone had any issues recently with purchasing Metra tickets using the Ventra app this past weekend? I was in Chicago this past weekend and had a lot of issues trying to purchase a one-way ticket (on two separate days) stating that the payment could not go through.

Troubleshooting performed:

• Attempted different payment methods
• Ensured that I had sufficient funds in the payment methods
• Attempted on both wifi and cellular data.
• Logged out and logged back in
• Uninstalled and reinstalled the app

I did also attempt to purchase from the Ventra Chicago website, but it looks like you can only purchase tickets using the actual mobile app. The last time I was in Chicago, I had a little bit of this issue as well. I know that I most likely need to contact Ventra about this (who were closed this weekend during the time I was having this calamity), but I just didn't know if there was a workaround for the issue above, or if anyone experiences the same.

 

[Metra Electric Rider]

Has anyone had any issues recently with purchasing Metra tickets using the Ventra app this past weekend? I was in Chicago this past weekend and had a lot of issues trying to purchase a one-way ticket (on two separate days) stating that the payment could not go through.

Troubleshooting performed:

• Attempted different payment methods
• Ensured that I had sufficient funds in the payment methods
• Attempted on both wifi and cellular data.
• Logged out and logged back in
• Uninstalled and reinstalled the app

I did also attempt to purchase from the Ventra Chicago website, but it looks like you can only purchase tickets using the actual mobile app. The last time I was in Chicago, I had a little bit of this issue as well. I know that I most likely need to contact Ventra about this (who were closed this weekend during the time I was having this calamity), but I just didn't know if there was a workaround for the issue above, or if anyone experiences the same.

I believe that Metra was free last weekend. No, sorry, that was the other weekend.

I dislike the Vulture system immensely. Once I figured out the app it works "ok" but isn't the easiest to use since there are more steps than seem necessary.

 

[Deni]

I believe that Metra was free last weekend. No, sorry, that was the other weekend.

I dislike the Vulture system immensely. Once I figured out the app it works "ok" but isn't the easiest to use since there are more steps than seem necessary.

Ventra has sucked ever since they got the contract. No one at the RTA, CTA, or Pace will hold them accountable for it functioning like it is supposed to.

 

[PaTrainFan]

I'm going to have a few hours to kill in Chicago on a couple of days in the next week. For the heck of it I got an RTA reduced far card after I attained that certain age but have yet to use it, and frankly I am a bit confused. Tried calling RTA/CTA and could not get past the mind-numbing menus and also had issues finding answers online. Does that card essentially replace the Ventra? And can I pay for fares at machines in CTA stations? I am most likely going to buy a one day pass, though I can't tell if the reduced fare card entitles me to a lower cost day pass. I mean, the regular day pass is only 5 bucks. But what if I decide to take a Metra ride as well? Does the reduced fare card work same as a Ventra card? Appreciate any guidance.