Rippler

Can anyone explain how the Reduced Fare works for seniors? Do you get a different Ventra card that you can still scan the normal way with a photo on it? Or do you get a 2nd card you have to also keep with you?

I certainly agree with the "not been officially stated" comment after having hunted down all information from CTA web pages I could and finally resorting to calling them where they even said they didn't know why. They thought there was a reason for it, but no one there knew what it was and they had me on hold about 10 minutes checking on it.

That makes sense, and it's probably the first time I happened to get back on at that particular stop from downtown, at Washington-Madison. My preference is to walk to Jackson and get on there... no matter what time of day it is, I'm guaranteed to get a seat so I can read. Thanks for the explanation.

When I go downtown on the Blue Line and end up finishing quick enough to get back on the L within the 2-hour transfer window, most of the time the transfer fee is $0.00 on my account. I'll get back on anywhere downtown between Jackson to Lake-Clark going back north. There was one time though when it charged the $0.25 and I can't figure out why it sometimes charges and why it doesn't. I had called CTA to ask about it, they thought there was a reason but no one there knew so they just said they'd refund the $0.25 since they had no answer (which I really didn't care about getting it back, I was just curious why). I'm not switching between different lines, it's always on the Blue Line, and it's often at stops that don't have other trains connecting. Any idea why it's usually no charge for the transfer going back except that one time? Here's a list of those times when I was within the 2-hour window showing no charge and the one time it did charge.

I checked back through early September and couldn't find anything about it. But if cancelled means never activated, that would mean it would give time for the card to be mailed out, plus a certain amount of time for activation, before they'd assign it a "cancelled" status for not activating a card. It would have be at least 2 weeks minimum after the order is placed (and with Ventra, that is a really optimistic time schedule). My cancelled status shows 2 hours after the card was ordered... same date, 2 hours later. So I can't see how they could already know it wasn't activated just 2 hours after the order was entered in their system. I know they won't mail out a card anymore, but I still don't believe they ever mailed me a card.

Last week I was considering breaking down and getting a Ventra card (I've always had the CCP card and it still works perfectly). And then I read the last batch of problems and decided against it again. I don't think I'm being unreasonable in expecting the new Ventra card to be as trouble-free as the old system that I've used for years before I switch over, even giving correct info online for my fares, etc. Even though I signed up immediately for the Ventra card back in August and on September 4th I got an email it was being sent "soon", soon never came. They won't resend a Ventra card insisting it was lost in the mail, even though on my account it clearly says "Cancelled" in the status column 2 hours after it was ordered. And they of course can't explain the "Cancelled" status, but still insist a card was mailed (I don't believe a card was ever mailed). So they want me to go buy a card from a vending machine, then call them again, they will transfer my CCP balance to the "lost" card number, and then transfer it from that number to the new number. Although why they can't just transfer my CCP balance directly to the new card number is another discussion, but they claim they can't do that. I think the entire system still leaves a lot to be desired. So I'm still putting off getting a Ventra card as long as possible until they issue new deadlines. Five days without new issues being posted doesn't give me the warm fuzzies about Ventra.

Since I still don't have my Ventra card they claimed to have mailed to me, I was thrilled that my good old reliable Chicago Card Plus auto-loaded yesterday! When I called Ventra about my card, they said it was mailed and they don't want to risk mailing another and have it lost too. Since my account says "Cancelled" for the status 2.5 hours after the order was put in for the Ventra card, I'm pretty certain it was never mailed. They want me instead to go purchase a Ventra card from a vending machine, call them, and they'll transfer the balance from the CCP to the old lost card number, and then transfer it from that old card number to the new card number. But with CCP auto-reload still working, I'm not doing anything until I absolutely have to at this point and avoid the entire mess as long as possible.

I was looking through my online Ventra account more last night and noticed something odd under Order History where it lists the Legacy Order Migration with a "Cancelled" Status about 2.5 hours after originating the order. Now I wonder if they really cancelled it or are they using some odd terminology for the process? My account summary also shows a 10-digit Transit ID number listed as Status Closed. I assumed that was the card number that was assigned to be sent to me and it shows Closed since I never yet activated the card (since I never received a card). But after seeing the Cancelled status on the order, now I'm wondering if I'm even scheduled to receive a card at all and if others who haven't yet received their card are showing the same cancelled status.

Would anyone expect a "new and improved" system to be slower than what they've been using for many years with the current Chicago Cards/Plus? I sure wouldn't. Using my old card triggered a near instantaneous green "enter" when I quickly touched my card to the front of the turnstyle and kept moving, you didn't even have to stop for it, just keep walking through the turnstyle while you touched the card to the front. Now apparently you need to stand there for a few seconds holding the card in position. It doesn't make sense why it would be slower. And if they don't give you those specific instructions when they send or sell you a card, why would anyone expect the use of the card to be any different than before? We should be able to do a quick tap, get a quick response, and go.

I did not get any call about it yet from the new calls set up. When I called Ventra the other week, they didn't show my name as having been issued one, so at least someone else doesn't have my card. They simply said cards are scheduled to be mailed this week (which I hear did go out on Monday), and on November 5th. They could not however tell me if my name was on any list as scheduled to be issued a card. And yes, I do have a balance to transfer which I won't use up before the November 15th deadline. I'm not a daily rider but I loved the convenience of the CCP card and refilling it automatically when it got low without me having to do a thing or keep tabs on the balance. I'm not looking forward to using the new card though after reading more about it. Using the CCP card was almost an instant beep and "enter" when tapping it to the front of the turnstyle. Now it appears even when it's working correctly, it will take holding the card there in place for a few seconds until it's acknowledged by the system. I'm just glad I don't travel during rush hour anymore for those lines.

I'd have to agree. It's the principle of it. And here it is November 1st and I still don't have my Ventra card that was supposed to arrive within 7-10 business days of September 4th. I don't see how they can not move the deadlines ahead at this point, I'm sure I'm not the only Chicago Card Plus user who hasn't received their new card yet.

So what happens when November 15th comes around and we still don't have our Ventra cards? I have a Chicago Card Plus and immediately responded to sign up for the new Ventra card back in August. September 4th I got the email with my login info (which I did log in and get set up), where it said I'll receive the card within 7-10 business days. Well it's almost 2 months later and I still don't have the card. I finally called Ventra last week thinking maybe someone else got the card or it was lost in the mail, but no, they don't show my name as ever having been issued one yet, and assured me that more are going out this week, and another batch on November 5th. I'm not really optimistic at this point about having the card before the cutoff date for using the old cards. So what happens when November 15th rolls around and some of us still don't have cards? Do we lose what's on the old Chicago Card Plus? Do we have to buy a Ventra Card at an el station and pay the $5 extra for it? They really have not been very organized in this process. If there was no way they could meet the demand of mailing out the Ventra cards as they said, why bother sending out the emails saying within 7-10 business days? I'm really not too hopeful about getting a card before the deadline anymore and wondering what will happen at that point with the money on my old card, I really don't want to just lose $25+ for no reason.