Originally Posted by
eng3
You are correct, I was reading old information. It appears now, its the same rate. I used NFC, cost $5 from O'hare on the L and $0.25 for the bus. I thought the $5 would include a transfer but I guess not. If it is the same rate, I'm not sure why anyone would ever buy a card anymore if using NFC (Phone or wireless card) costs the same or less). My plans ended up changing for my return and I didnt use CTA.
I too like collecting these kinds of cards myself though, usually from other countries though.
If you buy a $5 Ventra single-ride TICKET (not card) from a Ventra Vending Machine at O'Hare, that ticket includes the first ride and two transfers at no additional charge. However, the ticket is not valid on Pace, so it won't work if you need to transfer to a Pace bus. If you pay any other way, It's $5 for the first ride (when boarding at O'Hare) plus 25 cents for the first transfer to a CTA vehicle or 30 cents for the first transfer to a Pace bus. The second transfer is free (CTA or Pace).
If you pay via credit or debit (whether using a credit/debit card or a phone app), the first ride on a CTA bus is $2.50. If you pay using the balance in your Ventra account, the first ride on a CTA bus is $2.25. It is possible to link a Ventra account to your credit/debit card or phone, but this confuses most people, so I just say "If you pay with your Ventra card, the bus fare is 25 cents less than if you pay with your credit/debit card or phone."