Fair warning on fare hikes from the CTA
I got this email tonight from the CTA regarding the pending fare increases if the state Legislature fails to do its job and provide more funding. I'm assuming it sent to all Chicago Card Plus customers.
Dear Valued Chicago Card Plus Customer:
Due to insufficient state funding, the Chicago Transit Authority Board recently approved a contingency plan which includes changes to CTA service and fares. Without additional funding, this contingency plan will take effect on September 16, 2007. Customers who pay with cash or Transit Cards and use the CTA weekdays will pay higher fares at rail stations and on buses (depending on the time of day they ride). Fares will also increase for customers who use Chicago Card and Chicago Card Plus. Visit www.transitchicago.com to learn more about CTA's 2007 fare changes.
Under this plan, beginning September 16, the fare for Chicago Card and Chicago Card Plus customers will increase from $1.75 to $2.00 per ride, and 25¢ for a transfer (which allows two additional rides within two hours of issuance), regardless of the time of day. However, the bonus structure currently in place will remain, providing a $2 bonus for every $20 of Pay-Per-Use value added to an account. The cost of a 30-day unlimited Chicago Card Plus card will also increase from $75.00 to $84.00.
If the fare change goes into effect on September 16, the new $2.00 fare will be deducted from your Pay-Per-Use Chicago Card Plus account. Those who use the Chicago Card Plus 30-day unlimited ride pass, and whose reload occurs on or after September 16, will be charged the new rate of $84.00 on their accounts.
Chicago Card and Chicago Card Plus offer the best value for traveling on CTA. Thank you for choosing Chicago Card Plus as your fare payment option.
Has anyone heard if they will be raising the upper limit one can have taken from pre-tax pay under the Transit Benefit Program for the pay-per-use Chicago Card Plus? Currently, the most they will deduct per month is $65, which will not come close to amount of money needed when the fare hike takes place. Unsurprisingly, my e-mail to the CTA regarding this question has gone unanswered.
Posted by: Jabes | September 04, 2007 at 03:45 PM
what about the passes? If I buy 2 30-day passes tomorrow, will they still be good if I use them after the 16th? (I hope so--I want to do that!)
Posted by: Dee | September 04, 2007 at 04:48 PM
Jabes: I have $75 deducted at work for the CTA monthly pass, so maybe that $65 is a limit at your work?
Posted by: Kevin | September 04, 2007 at 09:40 PM
Kevin -- I know you can do $75 for a monthly pass, but at your company are you able to deduct $75 for the pay-per-use pass? I tried to go above $65 for pay-per-use last year, and the CTA told my company it was not allowed. My average monthly usage is too low for the monthly pass to be of value to me, but as soon as the fare increase takes place, the $65 limit will be nowhere near enough to cover my transit costs.
Posted by: Jabes | September 08, 2007 at 05:52 PM