More than 700 retailers in the Chicago metropolitan area have signed on to offer the Ventra Card, a new fare payment system developed by Cubic Transportation Systems, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Pace. By 2014, the number of participating Ventra retail locations is expected to grow to nearly 2,000 across the region. Retailers include CVS/pharmacy, Jewel-Osco, Walgreens, Currency Exchanges and independent neighborhood shops.
“The retail network is critical to making Ventra easily accessible to CTA and Pace riders,” said CTA President Forrest Claypool. “Ventra will soon be conveniently available at neighborhood retailers as well as online, by phone and at all CTA rail stations.”
Ventra is a contactless payment system that allows riders to tap their Ventra Card, Ventra Ticket or contactless bankcard on a Ventra reader to board the CTA and Pace. In addition to purchasing the Ventra Card at retailers, customers will also be able to add passes and transit value to their Ventra Card at these locations.
“We firmly believe that this added convenience will help to attract more people to public transit,” said Pace Executive Director T.J. Ross.
With more than 580 million rides provided by the CTA and Pace each year, the expansion of retailers offering the Ventra Card is expected to improvely accessible to CTA and P access to fare products where customers live, work and socialize. Ventra will fully launch on September 9, 2013.
Yes, Walgreens is one of the retail locations where Ventra cards can be purchased. After the full launch of the Ventra system in 2013, Walgreens started offering Ventra cards at 159 locations across the Chicago metropolitan area. Customers can purchase a Ventra card at Walgreens stores by visiting the customer service desk or asking a cashier. The card costs $5 to purchase, but $2.50 of that amount will be loaded back onto the card as transit value for future rides. Customers can also purchase a Ventra card online at the official Ventra website, or at other participating retailers such as CVS Pharmacy and Jewel-Osco.
Yes, CVS Pharmacy is one of the retail locations where Ventra Cards can be purchased. Customers can buy a Ventra card at participating CVS Pharmacy stores in the Chicago area, and can load value onto the card at the store or online.
To purchase a Ventra Card at CVS, simply visit the store's customer service desk or ask a cashier. The card will cost $5 to purchase, but $2.50 of that amount will be loaded back onto the card as transit value for future rides. Customers can also purchase a Ventra card online at the official Ventra website, or at other participating retailers such as Walgreens and Jewel-Osco.
No, Walmart is not a retail location where Ventra Cards are sold. As of my knowledge cutoff date of September 2021, the only major retailers in the Chicago metropolitan area that sold Ventra cards were CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, and Jewel-Osco. Customers can also purchase Ventra cards online at the official Ventra website or by phone.
