Ventra Card Not Fair

According to Chicagotribune.com, long list of convenience fees and other unexpected charges awaits CTA and Pace Ventra fare-card customers who sign up for an optional prepaid debit card account, a Tribune analysis of the more than 1,000-page CTA contract reveals.

• Ventra debit customers will pay a $2 fee if a paper copy of transaction is requested. Disputing the charges card owners are subject to a $10-per hour account research fee. $2 fee for operator assisted telephone inquiry.

• There will be a $5 a month "dormancy fee" to be charged to Ventra transit-fare accounts that are inactive for 18 months. Also, $2 a month after 18 months if no retail purchases or money transfers into the account are made.

• $2.95 "Reload on Internet" fee each time they add money to the retail side of Ventra cards using a personal credit card.

• Use your Ventra debit account to withdraw cash at an ATM? $1.50 service fee.

• "Balance Refund Fee" $6.00.

• Rail riders can continue to pay $2.25 instead of $3 if they buy a Ventra card. The Ventra card costs $5, however. The $5 is credited toward future transit fares if the card owner registers it within 90 days of purchase.