This time, Ventra launch going smoothly so far
The transition to Ventra and cash only options to ride Pace and CTA vehicles went smoothly Tuesday, according to agency officials.
Pace spokesman Patrick Wilmot said there had been "no issues to report" following the morning rush hour commute.
"The system is functioning as it was designed," Wilmot said.
That's a far cry from the new fare system's rollout nearly a year ago when it was plagued with problems that necessitated a more than 10-month transition to phase out the old magnetic card system.
Wilmot said Pace has undergone an unprecedented marketing campaign to promote the Ventra card system because bus drivers are no longer able to issue transfers and without the card, riders would be forced to pay $1.75 to transfer instead of the 25 cents it actually costs.
A few weeks ago, Wilmot said about 65 percent of the transit agency's ridership were using the new Ventra card, but he believes that figure is steeply up since then.
Riders are still able to use cash on CTA and Pace buses too.
Wilmot said anyone experiencing issues with their new Ventra cards should contact the company at ventrachicago.com or by phone at (877) 669-8368 (NOW-VENTRA).