CTA riders can keep adding value to their Chicago Cards as part of the "corrective steps" the transit agency announced Wednesday to resolve issues brought on by this week's Ventra transition.
Magnetic-stripe cards also will remain available for purchase at rail stations, CTA officials said.
As of Monday, riders were no longer able to reload Chicago Cards or purchase disposable magnetic cards at station vending machines. In some cases, Chicago Card and Chicago Card Plus holders still haven't received their Ventra cards in the mail.
"These issues are not with system functionality, but with customer-service," the CTA said in a statement," particularly to the 17 percent of customers using Chicago Card and Chicago Card Plus."
To combat the issue, the CTA decided to extend Monday's deadlines. Riders can use their Chicago Cards until mid-November, and disposable cards will be accepted until December.
The agency also directed Ventra's vendor to increase the number of customer service representatives handling complaints. Riders with further concerns can contact them at 1-877-Now Ventra and are urged to listen to the entire menu instead of automatically pressing "0."
CTA said in its statement that Ventra functionality is strong despite problems with customer service. Card users have tapped 11 million times in five weeks and make up 40 percent of ridership.
