“Skepticism” was the word of the day at a hearing over the CTA’s upcoming Ventra fare payment system.

The Illinois House Mass Transit Committee was in Chicago Monday, grilling CTA officials about the controversial cards.

At the hearing, Rep. Deborah Mell, D-Chicago, told CTA president Forrest Claypool that constituents and other people she has heard from are “skeptical” about Ventra’s prepaid debit card function, which can carry annual fees of nearly $200.

CTA officials say the debit account is “the best option” for expanding use of the Ventra system.

They point out that using it as a debit card is “a 100 percent voluntary choice” for CTA and Pace customers.

The Chicago Tribune contributed to this report.

Two proposed service fees from the CTA’s new Ventra card are being removed.

This summer, CTA riders will have the option of using the Ventra debit card to pay their fares.

The service is being promoted as a way to use quick-scan technology without having to have an actual bank-issued debit card.

The Ventra MasterCard is a pre-paid debit card that is attached to a user’s account.

The card allows riders to board buses and trains with a simple swipe, but that luxury comes with several “convenience charges.”

Two of those charges have been removed from the CTA deal, but the agency did not reveal that until recently.

One charged $2.95 for reloading the Ventra account online with a credit card.

The other charged $10-per-hour for “account research” to resolve billing discrepancies.

Both of those services will be free.

Almost a dozen other convenience fees still remain.

Using the Ventra card at the ATM will cost a $1.50 withdrawal fee and any additional fee that financial institutions charge for using their machine.

There’s a $2 charge if you want to speak to a human being if you contact customer service.

Those calls will be free if you use the automated system provided.

There are also fees for not reloading an account at least once for 18 months and requesting paper copies of monthly statements.

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 so-called “convenience fees” can get expensive.
CTA president Forrest Claypool spoke with WGN to clear up the fine print.

The CTA moves again toward becoming the first open fare transit system in the nation.
The Chicago Transit Board set rules today for the new program called Ventra.
The system will go into effect this summer.
Riders will be able to use Ventra cards, or their own personal credit or debit cards, to board trains and buses.
Fares will remain the same, as long as people register their Ventra cards.
It will replace the current Chicago Card, Chicago Card Plus, and the current magnetic stripe paper tickets sometime in 2014.
The CTA board also approved a 33 percent hike in the cash rail fare from $2.25to $3.
There will also be a $5 a month penalty for people who don’t use their Ventra cards within a year and a half.

The CTA is holding a public hearing Monday night to talk about another fare hike.

The agency has proposed raising the price of a train ride 75 cents, to $3 a trip.

The increase would affect people who use single ride cards instead of the new Ventra cards that are being phased into the system.

The Ventra cards will cost you $5, unless you go online and set up an account that allows you to prepay your fares with a credit card.

Bus riders who pay cash won’t have to pay extra.

Monday’s meeting takes place at 6 p.m. at CTA headquarters, 567 W. Lake street.

It appears all but done.

CTA claims it is modernizing and introducing a new fare system called Ventra.  It will create a debit like payment system for CTA riders, including PACE riders.

The Ventra card will cost $5 and that will be refunded in  transit value. Those hit hardest by the change: low income commuters who can’t put up larger sums of money for more than a ride or two. CTA states it does not believe the $5 fee will be a barrier however.

Those who choose to purchase the paper, single ride ticket will pay an additional 50 cents for a fare.

The CTA board votes Wednesday.