CTA question (Chicago, Union: transfer, buy, bus)

[chicagocubs]

OK, guys, one more...jeeze, I feel like a tourist here...

Chicago card v daily /weekly card that you can buy at the terminal?

Which is better/cheaper? Already checked, the Chicago card is good for like 4 years, so, that won't be an issue in between visits..

[surlycue]

You can load your Chicago card you know (like an I-Pass). The money doesn't go away if you don't use it and you can program it to auto-reload once it reaches a certain amount so I don't really see the difference between it and say a paper card with $12 on it, except that with a paper card you'll no doubt be left with an odd amount at the entrance machine at some point and have to fumble with cash and change to amend the amount. The plastic card saves your time, (since you load it from any computer) and is much more durable. What's the argument for the paper card, again?

[meatpuff]

The Chicago Card is better in every way than the ordinary paper farecards. I would say the only reason the paper farecards are still ever used is because you have to send off for the Chicago Card. So the paper cards are still used by the lazy, the homeless, very occasional CTA riders and tourists.

The daily/weekly CTA passes are another matter. I have a Chicago Card but if I knew for sure I was gonna ride the CTA at least 10 times over the next three days, I would get a 3-day pass anyway because it's cheaper. Remember transfers when you're doing the math -- if you get on a second train or bus and pay with the same farecard within two hours of the first ride it's $.25, and the third or more times you board it's free. Also remember if you wait until your trip, you'd better get your CTA pass when you first get into town. You can buy CTA passes at O'Hare and Midway and Union Station, but very few other places around town. You can buy ordinary CTA farecards all over the place (including every CTA rail station).

[chicagocubs]

Originally Posted by meatpuff

The Chicago Card is better in every way than the ordinary paper farecards. I would say the only reason the paper farecards are still ever used is because you have to send off for the Chicago Card. So the paper cards are still used by the lazy, the homeless, very occasional CTA riders and tourists.

The daily/weekly CTA passes are another matter. I have a Chicago Card but if I knew for sure I was gonna ride the CTA at least 10 times over the next three days, I would get a 3-day pass anyway because it's cheaper. Remember transfers when you're doing the math -- if you get on a second train or bus and pay with the same farecard within two hours of the first ride it's $.25, and the third or more times you board it's free. Also remember if you wait until your trip, you'd better get your CTA pass when you first get into town. You can buy CTA passes at O'Hare and Midway and Union Station, but very few other places around town. You can buy ordinary CTA farecards all over the place (including every CTA rail station).

meatpuff, thanks. That was actually what I was looking for. Don't think that the savings would be enough to warrant the hassle; especially since I think most of my trips would be direct anyway. (no transfers) Going to order my Chicago card now!