If you buy a new CTA or Pace Ventra fare prepaid debit card this summer, you may get socked with lots of hidden fees.
A Chicago Tribune analysis reveals, the “convenience fees” can get expensive.
There’s a “reload on the internet fee” of $2.95 when you add money to a Ventra card using a personal credit card.
If you don’t use your card for 18 months, there’s a $5-a-month dormancy fee.
If you dispute a charge, you’ll pay $10 an hour in “account research” fees; and even when you quit the Ventra card, you’ll pay a $6 “balance refund fee” to get a check for what’s left in your account.
CTA officials say the fees are about average for a typical debit card.
17 Comments to “New CTA/Pace debit card comes loaded with fees”
March 20, 2013 at 8:39 AM
Dear CTA, Thanks for F'ing us. Sincerely your soon to be former riders.
March 20, 2013 at 8:43 AM
It's the transit card version of Obama care.
March 20, 2013 at 8:44 AM
This smells just like the parking meter contract. Wake up Chicago politics.
March 20, 2013 at 9:32 AM
When you wake up a dumb azz politician you still have a dumb azz politician !
March 20, 2013 at 8:53 AM
Anything to make the poor even more Poorer. They should Charge a PROTECTION FEE! How dangerous CTA is.
March 20, 2013 at 9:34 AM
Atleast let me take my pants and grease up before the city government f__ks me!!!!!!
March 20, 2013 at 9:53 AM
Just Outrageous! And when the plan don't go over well, they will charge us for the stupid idea I bet. For purchase of the equipment.
March 20, 2013 at 10:00 AM
I never understood the problem with the old paper transit cards that was $1 for 3 rides (They couldve just increased it to the $2.25). I'm going to start back driving to work when all these unnecessary changes come.
March 20, 2013 at 10:59 AM
NY and Chicago are best examples of public transport, giving good service to people so that people need not drive their cars.Thus CTA is helping in reducing CO2 emissions and global warming. With introduction of Ventra card and lot many hidden & other unncessary charges, CTA is likely to force people driving their cars again. Politicians should not look at making profits from CTA as it is for public service.
March 20, 2013 at 1:12 PM
One good, decent idea the former mayor had – "Ride your bike!" If everyone who could, would – this very possibly might cripple CTA into a state of extinction. Ready, set…
March 21, 2013 at 4:59 AM
seriously, "ride your bike" when the windchill is 0? f that. i will take my cta and enjoy retaining my fingers and toes.
March 20, 2013 at 1:45 PM
thats chicago trans for ya buch of fuc)(&* Reminber ther are here to serves us better and what a wonderful job they are doing …..this is to help you as(*&………love this city to death ….I wish it would die….from no one coming here anymore…heheheh
March 20, 2013 at 1:59 PM
It's another tax on the poor and middle class.
March 20, 2013 at 2:06 PM
CTA Ventra Sucks !