OT-Chicago, how does payment for the CTA work?

[dudspizza]

Off to Chicago in a week and a half. Taking the CTA BLue Line from O'Hare to downtown an then the Red Line from downtown to US Cellular Field and back, all in the same day. We intend to buy a 1 day visitor pass at the O'Hare Vending machine for my wife and I for $5 each, but what should we do for the kids. They are 8 and 10, so fall under the reduced fare category (ages 7-11). It says the cash payment fare for kids is $1 per ride. Do we pay at the trunstiles or how does that work. Would it just be easier to buy them a visitor pass for $5 each and be done with it? We will be riding 3 times, so they would only cost $3 at the reduced fare, but what would be easiest....

Thanks for flattering me here folks... I have not been on a CTA/subway type train since I was about 15 and that was the TUBE in London!

Take care.

Duds

 

[zulaya]

duds...all the entries through the turnstiles require a passcard. There are vending machines for the cards literally steps from the turnstiles at each station.

I'm going to Chicago myself here on July 15 for an annual conference. I always fly into MDW and take the Orange line into the city. I know it costs me $2 each way to take the train, so I just get the card loaded with $4 as I arrive.

You can add more funds to your passcard at the vending machines as well. You just feed it into the machine, add money, it adds value to the card. So you could start out with a certain amount for your kids and if you needed to add more, you just feed the cash into the machine and add the funds to their cards.

Hope that makes sense.

 

[dudspizza]

duds...all the entries through the turnstiles require a passcard. There are vending machines for the cards literally steps from the turnstiles at each station.

I'm going to Chicago myself here on July 15 for an annual conference. I always fly into MDW and take the Orange line into the city. I know it costs me $2 each way to take the train, so I just get the card loaded with $4 as I arrive.

You can add more funds to your passcard at the vending machines as well. You just feed it into the machine, add money, it adds value to the card. So you could start out with a certain amount for your kids and if you needed to add more, you just feed the cash into the machine and add the funds to their cards.

Hope that makes sense.

Does we need to have a separate passcard for each person in our family? If that is the case, then I will get two 1 day passes for DW and I ($5 each) and then get two cards with $3 loaded on each for DD's since they are 8 and 10. Sound right or is there more to it since they would be riding at a reduced fare? Is there anything special I have to do at the turnstyle?

Thanks!

Duds

 

[zulaya]

I've never purchased a reduced fare, so I have no idea how that works.

I have purchased more than what I need on one card and anyone I'm travelling with we just use the one card. One person feeds in the passcard, it pops up, you go through the turnstile and pass it back to the other person. It's not a pass that's connected to a single person. So I'm guessing you could load one card with what you need for both kids and just do it that way.

Maybe someone from CHI can pop in and confirm or correct if needed.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Get day passes for each of you. Yes, I realize it's $4 more for the day, but it will allow you to use a single card for each kid, rather than having to purchase the reduced fare each time. Not sure how the discounted fares work, either, but it's possible that it needs to be done at the booth rather than an automated kiosk. They are pretty friendly there and will help you with anything you need to know.

I purchase my passes in advance. As I visit, I will activate a new card each time.

Have fun!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Duplicate!

 

[DISHUD]

Duds you better make sure of the line you need.
I know for sure, the Red line stops at Addison Ave (Wrigley Field) GO CUBS!!!
I think its the Brown line that goes to U.S Cellular, but Im not positive, Ive never taken the train to Sox park , but I have a number of times to Wrigley Field.

 

[goldilocks_63]

1-312-836-7000


http://www.transitchicago.com/

Goldi

 

[tinaluis]

Duds you better make sure of the line you need.
I know for sure, the Red line stops at Addison Ave (Wrigley Field) GO CUBS!!!
I think its the Brown line that goes to U.S Cellular, but Im not positive, Ive never taken the train to Sox park , but I have a number of times to Wrigley Field.

The Red Line goes to US Cellular Field/Sox Park too. As far as the reduced fares, there is a Reduced Fare Transit Card that works that same way as a regular card -- you get it from a vending machine at the station and add value to it as needed. I've never actually used a reduced fare card so I'm not sure how easy it is to use, but they do sell them.

Have a great trip!!!!!!!!! Will you be here for the Taste of Chicago?

 

[pr surfer]

Since this thread is here, I'll ask a small semi related question. My only experience on CTA involves the blue line to/from O'Hare.

I'm have a meeting in Chicago first thing Monday morning, so I'm flying in Sunday afternoon with the intention of exploring. If I wanted to explore downtown, I would take the blue line to Lasalle. What are any alternatives or transfers I could do to explore the downtown area.

So far, I know I like Monk's.. but that's not till later at night

 

[eeyore45]

1-312-836-7000


http://www.transitchicago.com/

Goldi

I always go busses when I explore Chicago - I get the passes too - great deal (esp in the heat of aug or the cold of Feb - just going 3 blocks a pass lets you hop on and off - BUT if you get a card and load it w/ certain fare, you will have to pay that fare each time you hop on and off - so it depends on your travel needs)

I go to the website above and click on trip planner - plug in my starting, ending points and they give me great alternate ways to get there -

I usually take Metra to Union Station, then at Union Station I've found the 151 takes me to Art Inst (walk a block to Michigan Ave) Wicked theatre, Macy's, all the way to Water Tower Place (and a block from American Girl store - Disney Store is on Mich Ave)