CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Chicago Transit Authority and Pace launched Monday the Ventra Card on iPhone and Apple Watch, further expanding safety, convenience, and flexibility for customers.
The CTA said this new feature, developed with Apple, allows iPhone and Apple Watch users to easily add a Ventra Card to their devices and then ride CTA trains and buses and Pace buses by simply tapping their iPhone or Apple Watch at the Ventra reader.
Customers no longer have to worry about pulling out or misplacing their plastic Ventra Card, they can now just tap and go.
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"With Ventra's expansion to iPhone and Apple Watch users, more and more people in Chicago and the Chicagoland area will be able to take advantage of and use our renowned public transit system with ease," said Mayor Lori Lightfoot, in a statement. "This initiative, in collaboration with Apple, showcases the endless possibilities of public-private sector teamwork and is also in line with our ongoing efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 with the use of contactless payment options. I am absolutely thrilled that this innovative and cutting-edge investment is being made in our city and look forward to developing even more ways to enhance the travel experience of CTA and Pace riders while keeping them safe.”
The Ventra Card on iPhone and Apple Watch is available through the brand-new Ventra app that was released just last month. It functions in the same way as a plastic Ventra card, allowing customers to add transit value or passes to their cards, set up autoload, utilize pre-tax transit benefits from their employer, manage their Ventra account and much more. Customers can also choose to convert their plastic, full fare Ventra Card for use on their Apple devices, or create a new card through the Ventra app, eliminating the need for calling customer service, visiting a machine or ordering a card online.
“The introduction of Ventra Card on iPhone and Apple Watch represents the future of fare payment in public transit, and we are very happy to provide our customers with another easy-to-use, contactless payment option as we work to help keep them healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr., in a statement. “We are committed to continuing to find new ways to use technology to improve the CTA travel experience and I believe the Ventra Card on iPhone and Apple Watch fare payment option is a great example of accomplishing that goal.”
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At this time, the Ventra Card on iPhone and Apple Watch is exclusive to CTA and Pace Suburban Bus services and is currently unavailable for fare payment on Metra or Pace Paratransit. RTA and Student Reduced Fare cards, including U-Pass cards, and free ride Ventra Cards cannot be added to Apple Wallet at this time.
For more information on how to load a Ventra Card on iPhone or Apple Watch, visit ventrachicago.com/applepay/.