Editing Chicago Transit Authority (section)

==Fare collection==
[[File:20141007 03 CTA Blue Line L @ O'Hare.jpg|thumb|[[Blue Line (CTA)|Blue Line]] terminal at [[O'Hare International Airport]]]]
[[File:CTA Night.jpg|thumb|View of the "L" from [[Adams/Wabash (CTA station)|Adams/Wabash]] in the [[Chicago Loop|Loop]]]]
[[File:CTA loop junction.jpg|thumb|The [[Junction (rail)|junction]] at the northwest corner of the Loop]]

The CTA accepts payment with a Ventra Card which can be purchased with a single-ride, 24-hour unlimited ride ($5), 3 day unlimited ride ($15), 7 day unlimited ride ($20), 30 day unlimited ride ($75), a Ventra disposable ticket, contactless credit or debit card, and certain smartphones. Unlimited ride Ventra cards/tickets are only valid for one passenger. CTA buses also accept cash. Up to three children under 7 can ride free with a fare-paying rider.

The CTA has many free and discounted fare options, for elementary, middle, and high school students, college and university students, people with disabilities, senior citizens, and military service members.

===Cash===
Only buses allow riders to pay directly with cash at a farebox. Exact fare is required, since no change is given. Since January 7, 2018, the bus full fare is $2.50, the senior/disabled fare is $1.25, and the student fare is $.75. No cash transfers are available. Previously, some rail station turnstiles accepted cash, but this feature has been removed in an effort to speed up boarding. Cash at rail stations is only accepted at Ventra Vending Machines to purchase Ventra cards and tickets.

===Transit Cards===
The CTA no longer sells Transit Cards. All remaining Transit Cards must have been used by July 1, 2014.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Transitioning to Ventra|url=http://www.transitchicago.com/transition/|publisher=Chicago Transit Authority|location=Chicago|access-date=June 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620112639/http://www.transitchicago.com/transition/|archive-date=June 20, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> In its place CTA has adopted the Ventra Card system. The Ventra Card can be purchased online, Ventra Vending Machines at CTA rail stations, and at authorized retailers like Walgreens, CVS Pharmacies, and check cashing locations.

===Ventra===
{{Main|Ventra}}
Ventra is an electronic fare payment system for the Chicago Transit Authority and [[Pace (transit)|Pace]] that replaced the [[Chicago Card]] and the Transit Card automated fare collection system.  Ventra (purportedly Latin for "windy," though the actual Latin word is ''ventosa'')<ref>{{cite press release|last=Mancini Nichols|first=Chrissy|title=Talking Transit: Chicago transit gets open payment system|url=http://www.metroplanning.org/news-events/article/6548|publisher=Metropolitan Planning Council|location=Chicago|access-date=March 20, 2013}}</ref> launched in August 2013, with a full system transition slated for July 1, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ventra FAQ|url=https://www.ventrachicago.com/faq/|publisher=Chicago Transit Authority|location=Chicago|access-date=October 18, 2013}}</ref><ref name=JulyRollout>{{cite news|last=Thomas|first=Monifa|title=Ventra cards become only way to pay starting July 1|url=http://www.suntimes.com/26203756-418/ventra-cards-become-only-way-to-pay-starting-july-1.html|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|location=Chicago|publisher=Chicago Public Media|access-date=March 14, 2014|date=March 14, 2014}}</ref> The Ventra payment system includes several options of payment, including a [[contactless smart card]] powered by [[RFID]], a single day or use ticket powered by [[RFID]], any personal bank-issued credit card or debit card that has an [[RFID]] chip, and a compatible [[mobile phone]]. This includes Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay.<ref name=CTAVentra>{{cite web|title=Ventra|url=http://www.transitchicago.com/ventra/|publisher=Chicago Transit Authority|location=Chicago|access-date=October 18, 2013}}</ref> Ventra is operated by [[Cubic Transportation Systems]].<ref name=CTADebit>{{cite news|first=Jon |last=Hilkevitch |title=CTA's Ventra debit option rife with fees |date=March 20, 2013 |publisher=Tribune Publishing|location=Chicago|url=http://www.redeyechicago.com/news/ct-met-cta-ventra-hidden-fees-0320-20130320,0,3911415,full.story |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411185138/http://www.redeyechicago.com/news/ct-met-cta-ventra-hidden-fees-0320-20130320,0,3911415,full.story |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 11, 2013 |work=Red Eye Chicago |access-date=March 20, 2013 }}</ref>

Riders using Ventra pay $2.25 for bus, $2.50 for rail (except Blue Line O'Hare station, $5). Disabled & seniors who are 65 or older pay $1.10 for bus, $1.25 for rail. Elementary and high school students  7–20 years old: Valid 5:30&nbsp;a.m. to 8:30&nbsp;p.m. on school days pay $.75 during school hours and pay $1.10 during weekends and holidays. The two transfers, within two hours, from the start of a trip is free. After that, it is considered a new trip and the user is charged another fare.

===Contactless payments===
Ventra readers on buses and rail station turnstiles can accept contactless payments directly from mobile devices. Riders can pay a PAYG fare ($2.50) by touching mobile phones with [[Apple Pay]], [[Google Wallet|Google Pay]] and [[Samsung Pay]]—or any contactless bankcard with the contactless wave symbol.<ref>{{cite web |title=How-To: Paying with Apple Pay, Android Pay or Samsung Pay |url=https://www.ventrachicago.com/how-to/mobile-wallet-apps/ |publisher=Chicago Transit Authority|location=[[Chicago]] |access-date=December 10, 2018 |language=en}}</ref>