Can Not Register Ventra Card

CTA Ventra carte: Big problems with online activation - and how to practise it right

By , September 15, 2013 at vii:01 pm

At least a few CTA Tattler readers and myself are reporting problems with activating the new Ventra bill of fare online after finally receiving one in the postal service. To be articulate, that's for Chicago Card/Plus cardholders who got emails in Baronial from the CTA stating their card would be coming in September.

Ventra logo The activation problem stems from disruptive instructions in the email received; combined with instructions on the card itself to activate it.

When you receive the card, you must activate it by calling a toll-free number, entering your carte du jour number, and and then entering your "admission" code. But what is your access code? The telephone lady says if y'all don't know it, you will be transferred to a service representative who can assistance. And then I did that, and was told the look for a rep was 22 minutes on Saturday night, and 34 minutes on Lord's day night.

Needless to say, I hung upwardly.

And I looked dorsum at the email I got from Ventra on Aug. 26 – near three full weeks before I got my card.

Folks: Go dorsum and READ THAT Email advisedly. It says:

You'll receive your new Ventra Card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. {NOT!} Then, you must Activate your new Card by calling 1.888.824.8802. Please follow the process below to create your Ventra access code to activate your new Menu.

You may use the Ventra transit account username and temporary password listed below to view your account on ventrachicago.com. After changing your password, you tin create an access lawmaking that will too permit y'all to review and make changes to your account over the phone. One time that's completed, you'll be ready to take advantage of online account management and much more.

OK and then. Stride-by-step. To actuate your new Ventra card:

Discover the email y'all got a couple of weeks ago from Ventra.
Log in with the username and temporary countersign provided in that email.
Provide the necessary user info.
Create your access lawmaking.
OK, that's information technology for the online work.
Call the activation number on the card.
Enter your bill of fare number.
Enter your access code.
Done!

Oh, and by the style, your access code is not the same as your password. That's just another thing that can trip you up.

In retrospect, the e-mail tells you how to activate the card. The big Neglect here is that people aren't thinking about that electronic mail when they get their card in the mail two-to-3 weeks later. You just desire to actuate it. But you can't without following directions in the email. And the "Quick First Guide" you get with the carte du jour doesn't mention post-obit those instructions in the email.
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