How Ventra Stopped Chicago From Working!

The new CTA Ventra Card has not been a complete failure, that won't happen until November 15th, when the Chicago Card is completely phased out.  This wouldn't be an issue if Ventra worked!

As I wrote before; "Ventra Makes The ObamaCare Registration Look Smooth!"  So what exactly is the issue?  Here are some of the complaints;

Line halfway down the street at Damen Blue just to tap your @VentraChicago card. Fix the readers @cta! #ventravents pic.twitter.com/d4KJpfljux
— Sarah Katz (@katzsarah) October 29, 2013

@tracyswartz CTA called my cell & asked if I got email & card. I yelled into phone "I have until the 14th. You're not my real mom!"
— Vonetta Logan (@VonettaLogan) October 29, 2013

It's been three weeks since I activated my @VentraChicago card...and my balance was just now transferred. #ventravents
— vanna (@VannaRobyn) October 29, 2013

Number of times I had to tap my Ventra card on the reader to get it to work this morning: 14. Average is usually 5-6. #ventravents
— Kyle Bentle (@kylebentle) October 24, 2013

Day 5 - Value on #Ventra card $40. (Confirmed CTA employee) Value able to use on #CTA - $0! Free ride for me, card won't work. #ventravents
— Michelle K (@chellek) October 30, 2013

I wonder how long it'll be until bus drivers will stop letting Ventra users get on when their perfectly good cards don't read. #ventravents
— Snarky Serif (@SnarkySerif) October 29, 2013

I have personally witnessed these problems way too often myself, so even though I have my Ventra Card, I am not switching over from my Chicago Card, until I have to, and even then, I could just bike to work.  How bad would that be?

Still better than dealing with the problems with Ventra!

According to the Chicago Tribune's Red Eye;

"Transit officials said software and data communications glitches — some because of Ventra and others caused by infrastructure still in use from the old fare-collection system — are the source of apparent malfunctions in the Ventra readers at rail turnstiles and onboard CTA and Pace buses."

Um, did they just blame the Chicago Card for screwing up the Ventra system?  At least the Chicago Card never had any of these issues.

Why exactly are we switching to this new system?  Does it have anything to do with signing up every Chicago transit rider with a "credit card" even if they never had one before?

Sure it is only a debit card, but why exactly are we linking people's means of getting to their job with something that could financially devastate them if they misuse?  It is clear that the CTA and Ventra's Cubic Transportation Systems can not manage this card properly.  Just look at how their customers are valued.

Another Unvalued Customer

I spoke with Rick at the Ventra Customer Contact Center, and I am all registered online, and my cards are ready to transfer over...I am just really waiting until they get the rest of their mess fixed.  

If Chicago stops working on November 15th, because the Ventra account doesn't work, I won't blame the CTA...This will all be on the CTA President, Forrest Claypool.  He will be getting a call from me, for a ride to work.

The CTA may fine Cubic Transportation Systems for it's mismanaging of Ventra, according to CTA spokesperson, Tammy Chase;

"We anticipate there will be penalties for Cubic for September"  

Can we, also, fine the CTA for mismanaging us riders?

Ventra columns:
Dump Ventra in 2014!
Ventra, No Change! "Stop. Stop. Go."
Ventra, On The Wrong Track!
Just The Beginning Of The Ventra Nightmare?
Follow The $$$ To Answer "Why Ventra?"
How Ventra Stopped Chicago From Working!
Ventra Makes The ObamaCare Registration Look Smooth!
CTA, A Well Run Company, Like A Runaway Train!
Is The CTA Just Messing With Me?

Tony Lossano, Broadcast Producer (TV & Radio, Chicago), amateur bicyclist, a fantastic dog walker, and has never been married to Alyssa Milano.