Ventra card options in Chicago
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Gold
Posts: 3,739
Ventra card options in Chicago
It has been over a decade since my I've taken the CTA and I am confused by my options from ORD.
I need to go from ORD downtown to the Navy Pier area (requiring one bus transfer} then return on Sunday.
I am trying to understand my options
1. Buy single ride Ventra ticket for $5 which includes the bus transfer, then buy another ticket with transfer ($2.50 cash only?) on the bus back? I'm not clear what I can but from the driver and my options to pay
2. Buy Ventra card for $5, load $2.50. Can I register immediately to use the $5? Then save the 2.50 for the return? I could of course load $5, register later, but the I'll have a $2.50 balance and probably lose that due to inactivity
3. Pay with phone costing $12 (5+2.25+2.25+2.50)
4. Buy card with app somehow?
I need to go from ORD downtown to the Navy Pier area (requiring one bus transfer} then return on Sunday.
I am trying to understand my options
1. Buy single ride Ventra ticket for $5 which includes the bus transfer, then buy another ticket with transfer ($2.50 cash only?) on the bus back? I'm not clear what I can but from the driver and my options to pay
2. Buy Ventra card for $5, load $2.50. Can I register immediately to use the $5? Then save the 2.50 for the return? I could of course load $5, register later, but the I'll have a $2.50 balance and probably lose that due to inactivity
3. Pay with phone costing $12 (5+2.25+2.25+2.50)
4. Buy card with app somehow?
#2
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 140
I don't think this is correct (now) -- the CTA and Ventra pages on paying via phone now indicate that transfers are included when paying with "pay as you go" credit, so your total cost should be the same as if you were paying with a Ventra card, i.e. $7.50 ($5 for the trip from O'Hare, then $2.25 + $0.25 for the return trip).
I don't think this is possible.
All in all, if you are an infrequent visitor to Chicago it seems like paying with your phone is the most convenient/economical option. (I like collecting these kinds of cards myself so I'd probably get the card, which also has the advantage of recording your transit history.)
#3
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 24
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Gold
Posts: 3,739
...I don't think this is correct (now) -- the CTA and Ventra pages on paying via phone now indicate that transfers are included when paying with "pay as you go" credit, so your total cost should be the same as if you were paying with a Ventra card, i.e. $7.50 ($5 for the trip from O'Hare, then $2.25 + $0.25 for the return trip).
...
All in all, if you are an infrequent visitor to Chicago it seems like paying with your phone is the most convenient/economical option. (I like collecting these kinds of cards myself so I'd probably get the card, which also has the advantage of recording your transit history.)
...
All in all, if you are an infrequent visitor to Chicago it seems like paying with your phone is the most convenient/economical option. (I like collecting these kinds of cards myself so I'd probably get the card, which also has the advantage of recording your transit history.)
I too like collecting these kinds of cards myself though, usually from other countries though.
#5
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 140
If London-style capping ever gets implemented then it would seem to be a no-brainer, but for now I'd imagine that's the biggest reason why.
Last edited by andrewesque; Dec 2, 19 at 2:29 pm Reason: Corrected incorrect terminology
#6
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 24
- They don't have a different card they can use.
- They don't have a phone with working NFC.
- They don't want to enable NFC for security reasons.
- They're having trouble with the app. (Ventra app is buggy.)
- They don't trust the security of the app.
- They want to buy the card anonymously using cash.
- They're not very technical and feel buying a card is simpler.
- They collect these type of cards.
- They want a backup plan, in case their phone dies.
- Before departing, they plan to give the card away.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Gold
Posts: 3,739
None of these apply to me personally, but here are some potential reasons:
- They don't have a different card they can use.
- They don't have a phone with working NFC.
- They don't want to enable NFC for security reasons.
- They're having trouble with the app. (Ventra app is buggy.)
- They don't trust the security of the app.
- They want to buy the card anonymously using cash.
- They're not very technical and feel buying a card is simpler.
- They collect these type of cards.
- They want a backup plan, in case their phone dies.
- Before departing, they plan to give the card away.
But, you do not require the app to use NFC payment. You do not even need a phone if you have a NFC credit card. I'd say the card is basically the backup for the phone failing. Though dropping a ventra card means you lose whatever value is on it, dropping a credit card has no liability but certainly some headache and I suppose there may be an increase chance of someone stealing the number depending on how you hold the card. I'd say using a NFC credit card is the same level of difficult as using a ventra card except you already have credit card and never need to reload it. I do like collecting these types of cards so I do understand wanting to get one in some cases.
#8
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, US
Posts: 2,210
None of these apply to me personally, but here are some potential reasons:
- They don't have a different card they can use.
- They don't have a phone with working NFC.
- They don't want to enable NFC for security reasons.
- They're having trouble with the app. (Ventra app is buggy.)
- They don't trust the security of the app.
- They want to buy the card anonymously using cash.
- They're not very technical and feel buying a card is simpler.
- They collect these type of cards.
- They want a backup plan, in case their phone dies.
- Before departing, they plan to give the card away.
Clarification: You cannot pay via NFC with a Ventra card or the Ventra app. You can only use NFC with a credit/debit card. You can buy a Metra ticket via the app, but that's the only way you can board/enter/pay directly via the app.
Addition: you've missed 2 common reasons why people would use a physical card:
- Weekly/Monthly Passes. You can load one onto a card, but most people don't, they use a Ventra card.
- You usually must use a Ventra card to use a transportation spending account. Some plans may give you a credit card, but YMMV on getting it working.
#10
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 24
I'd say using a NFC credit card is the same level of difficult as using a ventra card except you already have credit card and never need to reload it.
It's worth mentioning that the Ventra app can be used with all four primary methods of transit that Chicagoland's Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) offers. In addition to Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) trains and buses, that also includes Pace suburban buses and Metra commuter rail; although, you have to use the app for Metra. You can use Ventra card transit value to buy Metra tickets in the app, however.
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Gold
Posts: 3,739
Ah yes, I forgot about registering. In that case, I would think that losing a ventra card is probably less of a headache than losing a credit card or having the number stolen. And I assume ventra has some sort of auto-replenish feature so I guess you don't need to remember to reload.
Yes, I did use the ventra app on Metra and I did find it un-intuitive.
Yes, I did use the ventra app on Metra and I did find it un-intuitive.
#12
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, US
Posts: 2,210
It's worth mentioning that the Ventra app can be used with all four primary methods of transit that Chicagoland's Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) offers. In addition to Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) trains and buses, that also includes Pace suburban buses and Metra commuter rail; although, you have to use the app for Metra. You can use Ventra card transit value to buy Metra tickets in the app, however.
#13
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 24
It's not well designed. In addition to any issues around being unintuitive, it's also buggy. For a long while, the Android version would crash the first time it was opened every day, then it would be fine the second time it was opened. Reinstalling and rebooting didn't resolve the issue. Lots of people had this problem. Didn't get much useful support by contacting Ventra either.
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Gold
Posts: 3,739
When I bought my metra ticket, I simply used a credit card saved in the app. Again, I don't see why one would use the ventra balance when you can just charge the card directly but we dont need to get into that.
As for buying the ticket, I noticed that after buying the ticket, you have to "activate" the ticket once you board. I assumed that this was like validating a ticket with other train systems meaning that you are forced to "use" the ticket even if the conductor doesnt check because if he catches you with a ticket that is validated late, you get fined or at least have to pay the on-board ticket buying fee. I guess this isnt the case with metra.
Yes the whole transit system seems to be designed to be more difficult to use that it has to. My father recently had an accident and is now in rehab downtown so my mother is taking metra in as she doesnt like driving downtown. She is a senior but is forced to apply for a senior pass thru RTA which takes 3-4 weeks in order to buy a reduced fare metra ticket when they could just as easily look at ID. My father will only be in rehab for 3-4 weeks so I'm sure it will arrive just in time for her to have no more need for it.
As for buying the ticket, I noticed that after buying the ticket, you have to "activate" the ticket once you board. I assumed that this was like validating a ticket with other train systems meaning that you are forced to "use" the ticket even if the conductor doesnt check because if he catches you with a ticket that is validated late, you get fined or at least have to pay the on-board ticket buying fee. I guess this isnt the case with metra.
Yes the whole transit system seems to be designed to be more difficult to use that it has to. My father recently had an accident and is now in rehab downtown so my mother is taking metra in as she doesnt like driving downtown. She is a senior but is forced to apply for a senior pass thru RTA which takes 3-4 weeks in order to buy a reduced fare metra ticket when they could just as easily look at ID. My father will only be in rehab for 3-4 weeks so I'm sure it will arrive just in time for her to have no more need for it.
#15
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 24
As for buying the ticket, I noticed that after buying the ticket, you have to "activate" the ticket once you board. I assumed that this was like validating a ticket with other train systems meaning that you are forced to "use" the ticket even if the conductor doesnt check because if he catches you with a ticket that is validated late, you get fined or at least have to pay the on-board ticket buying fee. I guess this isnt the case with metra.
One thing that is particularly annoying is they make announcements to please have the Ventra app open and ticket activated. It usually takes them a while after that to arrive, and by that time people have started using their phones for other things, or the screen has turned off; and the Ventra app doesn't open directly back to the screen with the activated ticket, so the conductor waits for people to click back through and show them the screen.
Yes the whole transit system seems to be designed to be more difficult to use that it has to. My father recently had an accident and is now in rehab downtown so my mother is taking metra in as she doesnt like driving downtown. She is a senior but is forced to apply for a senior pass thru RTA which takes 3-4 weeks in order to buy a reduced fare metra ticket when they could just as easily look at ID. My father will only be in rehab for 3-4 weeks so I'm sure it will arrive just in time for her to have no more need for it.
The CTA, Metra, and Pace "service boards" are all part of RTA; but RTA itself is interesting. It's a regional transit planning and financial oversight agency for northeast Illinois; but with different board members appointed by the Mayor of the City of Chicago, the President of the Cook County Board, Cook County Board members outside Chicago, and the Chairman of the County Board of each of the five collar counties, it's a very political organization, and there always seem to be a lot of compromises.