RTA Magnetic Stripe Permits No Longer Loadable June 1

March 28, 2014

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is reminding seniors and people with disabilities that beginning June 1, customers will no longer be able to load transit fares to magnetic stripe RTA Reduced Fare or ADA Paratransit permits. The CTA, Metra and Pace will stop accepting magnetic stripe RTA Reduced Fare, Ride Free and ADA Paratransit permits on buses and trains beginning July 1. Customers who are currently using magnetic stripe RTA Reduced Fare and ADA Paratransit permits on buses and trains should continue to spend down their balances to ensure an easy transition to the new Ventra permits.

Seniors and people with disabilities who are enrolled in the RTA’s Reduced Fare, Ride Free and ADA Paratransit programs should activate their new Ventra permits immediately, if they haven’t already done so, by calling 877-450-5328. Customers enrolled in these programs prior to March 1, 2014 should have received their new permits. Customers who have not received their new Ventra permits should contact RTA Customer Service at 312-913-3110 immediately. Last fall, the RTA mailed new Ventra permits to more than 550,000 Reduced Fare, Ride Free and ADA Paratransit customers throughout the region and as of March 7, over 55% of RTA permit holders have activated their permits.

Ventra is hosting a series of balance transfer events this spring to provide RTA Reduced Fare and ADA Paratransit customers opportunities to transfer any remaining balances from their magnetic stripe permits to their new Ventra permits. Seven events are scheduled for April (see list at end of release). Customers can visit https://www.ventrachicago.com/eventscalendar/ to view all scheduled balance transfer events and read the balance transfer rules.

Customers interested in enrolling in an RTA fare program can obtain an application on the RTA website at www.RTAchicago.org or at the Customer Service Center, 69 W. Washington St., Pedway Level, Chicago. Customers can also call RTA Customer Service at 312-913-3110 to have an application mailed to them.

Customer Service Center hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Customers interested in applying for ADA Paratransit service should call 312-663-4357. For more information, visit www.RTAchicago.org.

Upcoming Balance Transfer Events

Tuesday, April 1
3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
CTA Headquarters
567 W. Lake St., Chicago

Tuesday, April 8
3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
CTA Headquarters
567 W. Lake St., Chicago

Wednesday, April 9
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Broadway Armory Park
5917 N. Broadway St., Chicago

Saturday, April 12
10 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
St. James AME Church
9256 S. Lafayette Ave., Chicago

Tuesday, April 15
3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
CTA Headquarters
567 W. Lake St., Chicago

Tuesday, April 22
3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
CTA Headquarters
567 W. Lake St., Chicago

Tuesday, April 29
3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
CTA Headquarters
567 W. Lake St., Chicago