The single-ride ticket at ORD comes with 2 transfers within 2 hours at no additional cost. The total cost is $5. However the transfers are good on CTA only (all of the L lines plus bus routes numbered 206 and lower).
If you are paying with a Ventra Card, $5 is deducted for the first ride when boarding at ORD. For a second ride within 2 hours on CTA, 25 cents is deducted. For a second ride on Pace (bus routes 208 and up), 30 cents is deducted. The third ride on CTA or Pace is free.
So, yes, there is a loophole in the system. If you need to transfer to a CTA vehicle, it is cheaper to buy a single-ride ticket at ORD. If you need to transfer to Pace, the single-ride ticket will not work.
Last edited by planko; Feb 19, 2018 at 2:44 am