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PACE ANNOUNCES VENTRA PUBLIC OUTREACH CAMPAIGN

PACE ANNOUNCES VENTRA™ PUBLIC OUTREACH CAMPAIGN

Ambassadors to inform customers about proposed Pace fare policy changes

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL –Pace officials announced the agency’s plans for a comprehensive public outreach campaign to inform customers about fare policy changes and improvements underway as the transition to the Ventra fare collection system continues. The effort kicks off with an ambassador campaign in which Pace staff will visit 14-locations in Chicago and the suburbs to distribute information and answer customers’ questions about the benefits and fare policy changes impacting Pace riders with the change to Ventra. Information will be distributed in English and Spanish between October 7th and October 18th.

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“Change is never easy, so we’re launching this outreach effort to provide riders with the information they need to know to ensure a smooth transition to a more convenient and efficient way to pay fares and use public transportation,” said Pace Chairman Rick Kwasneski.

The initial ambassador activity includes ambassador outreach during evening rush hours as follows:

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October 7-9: Joliet Union Station, Elgin Transportation Center, Aurora Transportation Center and Waukegan Metra Station

October 10, 11 and 15: Pace Harvey Transportation Center, Pace Chicago Heights Transfer Center, Midway CTA Station and 95th/Dan Ryan CTA Station 

October 16-18: Rosemont CTA Station, Pace Schaumburg Transportation Center, Davis CTA Station, Forest Park CTA Station, Crystal Lake Metra Station and Yorktown Center

Ambassador outreach resumes in early December when staff will again communicate directly with passengers on buses and at transit centers before the existing magnetic stripe and Chicago Card systems are deactivated on December 15th. Cash will continue to be accepted for fare payment and fares will remain the same as today.

Pace Public Outreach Campaign 2

“This is the next evolution in fare payment technology,” said Kwasneski. “There are a number of convenient features that make Ventra a significant improvement over the nearly twenty year old system it replaces.”

Some key benefits of transitioning to the new Ventra card for Pace riders include:

·   New 30-Day Premium Pass for Express Routes

·   Ventra’s account-based system protects passes and balances in the event of a lost or stolen card

·   Online or toll-free telephone-based account access and management

·   Vastly expanded retail network of nearly 500 suburban locations where customers can buy Ventra Cards and load passes or transit value

·   Pace riders can pay in advance for the number of rides that’s best for their needs

·   Ability to pay fares using a contactless debit or credit card

·   Tapping and board is quicker than paying with cash

“I applaud Pace for its vision and leadership in taking public transportation to the next level,” says Joliet Mayor Tom Giarrante. “Public transportation should be accessible and convenient for riders and Pace is making these improvements with their customers in mind.”

Pace and CTA rolled out Ventra in September, which offers customers a more convenient way to pay for public transportation. Ventra is available online, over the phone, at designated transportation hubs and at select retail locations. In addition to the ambassador campaign, Pace is working with units of government to promote information about Ventra and launched an advertising campaign to share information with its customers. For more information, visit pacebus.com/ventra.

Contact: Kim Morreale

Kim@morrealepublicaffairs.scom

847-401-8565

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