CHICAGO— CTA commuters, get ready to prove that it's your face on your U-Pass.
The CTA has implemented a new measure to curb the fraudulent use of free and reduced-fare cards. As part of the effort, the CTA is doing spot checks at stations throughout the city to confirm that cards are being used only by the authorized user.
One Blue Line commuter on his way to work took to Reddit Tuesday to find out why four police officers were checking U-Passes.
Although commuters are starting to see these checkpoints pop up around the city, the CTA began the card verification efforts last month and has since nabbed more than 1,800 free and reduced-fare cards that were being used improperly during these spot checks. The CTA estimates the potential revenue lost from the fraudulent use is upwards of $2.8 million.
“Free and reduced-fare rides are intended for seniors, persons with disabilities and others who rightfully qualify for these important programs,” CTA President Forrest Claypool said. “We take any incident of fraud seriously and are taking steps to protect innocent customers from being taken advantage of, as well as protecting all other fare-paying customers from having to subsidize improper use of these programs.”
According to the CTA's website, U-Passes "cannot be transferred or sold. If the rule is violated, [the CTA] reserves the right to confiscate the card and prohibit you from having a U-Pass for a full year, and/or press criminal charges."
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