Chicago: Ventra flaws cost CTA $1.2 million in free rides

[marmar]

The Chicago Transit Authority (IL) estimates that the flawed rollout of the Ventra fare open-payment system resulted in more than 930,000 free rides, mostly on buses.

CTA officials say that Cubic Transportation Systems, which is the prime contractor on the Ventra team, will reimburse the agency about $1.2 million to cover the lost fares. Most of the free rides can be traced to Ventra equipment failures between October 1 and December 19.

“This is the amount we are submitting to Cubic for reimbursement,” CTA spokesman Brian Steele said. “Cubic has reviewed our methodology, and they have indicated to us that they will reimburse us.” Asked to comment on the matter, Cubic executive vice president Matt Cole said, “All of these matters are the subject of an ongoing discussion between the CTA and Cubic.”

CTA based its estimates of free rides on a combination of factors: (1) free rides recorded by bus drivers on farebox keypads; (2) the use of turnstiles and manual counts by CTA personnel at rail stations; and (3) historical ridership averages. The methodology accounted for approved free rides, such as those provided to low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities. The calculations assumed an average bus fare of $1.30 and an average rail fare of $1.55. ......................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thetransitwire.com/2013/12/31/ventra-flaws-cost-cta-1-2-million-free-rides/

[Agschmid]

1. Whoops!