Politics & Government
Pace to Hand Out Free Ventra Cards at Union Station
The goal is to ease Pace users' transition to the new payment system, which allows preloaded cards to be purchased and reloaded.
Pace staff will be at Union Station in downtown Joliet from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 handing out free Ventra cards preloaded with $2 -- enough to cover one adult fare and up to two transfers within two hours.
The goal is to ease customers into using the new payment system, a Pace news release said.
To receive a free card, customers must fill out a registration form available on-site. According to the release:
"A valid, state-issued photo ID must be presented in order for Pace representatives to verify name and address information. Customers have the option of waiting for staff to complete the registration process on-site to receive a card immediately or turning in a verified form and receiving their card by mail within 3-5 business days.
"To participate, customers must present their form in person; forms submitted via post will not be accepted. RTA Reduced Fare and Ride Free Program customers are not eligible to participate, as they already have or will soon receive a free, Ventra-compatible card from the RTA. Customers who already have a Ventra card are also ineligible to participate.
"Once customers have their Ventra card, they can add passes or transit value at VentraChicago.com or by phone at 877-NOW-VENTRA, or at a participating Ventra retail location. Retail location information is available online or by phone.
"Before Ventra, Pace had only 50 retail locations at which customers could buy Pace passes. Ventra’s retail network now has nearly 300 suburban locations, and will eventually grow to 500. Earlier this year, Pace purchased twelve Ventra vending machines to place at suburban transit centers to maximize customer convenience, but the RTA has delayed processing of the sale. A timetable of when the machines will be available for customer use has not been determined."
To receive a free card, customers must fill out a registration form available on-site. According to the release:
"A valid, state-issued photo ID must be presented in order for Pace representatives to verify name and address information. Customers have the option of waiting for staff to complete the registration process on-site to receive a card immediately or turning in a verified form and receiving their card by mail within 3-5 business days.
"To participate, customers must present their form in person; forms submitted via post will not be accepted. RTA Reduced Fare and Ride Free Program customers are not eligible to participate, as they already have or will soon receive a free, Ventra-compatible card from the RTA. Customers who already have a Ventra card are also ineligible to participate.
"Once customers have their Ventra card, they can add passes or transit value at VentraChicago.com or by phone at 877-NOW-VENTRA, or at a participating Ventra retail location. Retail location information is available online or by phone.
"Before Ventra, Pace had only 50 retail locations at which customers could buy Pace passes. Ventra’s retail network now has nearly 300 suburban locations, and will eventually grow to 500. Earlier this year, Pace purchased twelve Ventra vending machines to place at suburban transit centers to maximize customer convenience, but the RTA has delayed processing of the sale. A timetable of when the machines will be available for customer use has not been determined."
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