Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

CTA O'Hare Surcharge Kicks In for Tourists and Residents Alike

By Ted Cox | July 1, 2013 11:42am | Updated on July 1, 2013 11:47am
 CTA President Forrest Claypool originally said the O'Hare surcharge would mainly affect tourists.
CTA President Forrest Claypool originally said the O'Hare surcharge would mainly affect tourists.
View Full Caption
DNAinfo/Tanveer Ali

CHICAGO — Suddenly, almost everyone, including tourists and residents alike, will be paying the same higher rate at the CTA's O'Hare Blue Line stop.

A surcharge making it $5 for all riders boarding the Chicago Transit Authority at O'Hare International Airport fully kicked in Monday. O'Hare employees, those with a Chicago Card Plus on a monthly payment plan and those with unlimited-ride short-term passes will continue to pay $2.25, but all others — tourist or longtime city resident — pay the full $5.

CTA President Forrest Claypool originally said the surcharge would mainly affect tourists when it was announced late last year as part of budget-balancing measures.

Chicago Card and Chicago Card Plus holders were being charged the normal $2.25 rail fee at O'Hare for the first six months of the year, after the surcharge took effect in January, while the CTA worked out details on a new smart card for O'Hare employees with the Chicago Department of Aviation.

But now Chicago Card holders will be subject to the $5 fee, and the only way for Chicago Card Plus holders to avoid the surcharge is by replenishing on a 30-day plan.

And riders using those plans are also paying more, with the 30-day pass jumping to $100, up from $86 earlier this year.

The same sort of fare structure will be imposed on Ventra cards as they're phased in later this year and into 2014.

Those with unlimited-ride passes for 1-, 3-, 7- and 30-day periods will also be charged $2.25, although it's really a moot point with unlimited rides.

Those with the basic CTA strip cards — such as ones bought at CTA stations — have been paying the surcharge since January. Monday's new increase will generate another $4 million this year, according to the CTA.

About 10,000 passengers board the CTA at O'Hare every weekday.