VENTRA CARD IN GOOGLE PAY
The Basics
1. Where can I use Ventra Card on Google Pay?
Ventra Card on Google Pay can be used at all Ventra readers on CTA buses, CTA ‘L’ station faregates and Pace buses.
Ventra Card on Google Pay is not accepted on Metra trains or for payment on Pace paratransit services.
2. Do I need to have a registered Ventra Card to use it on Google Pay?
Yes, if you wish to add a Ventra Card to Google Pay it needs to be registered to your Ventra online account.
An unregistered Ventra Card (purchased from a machine or retail location without having been registered) will need to be registered online, by phone or in the app before you can add it to your device.
If you don’t have a registered Ventra Card, you can use the Ventra app to add a new digital Ventra Card to Google Pay, which will automatically be registered to your Ventra online account.
3. Are special fare Ventra Cards (senior, military, people with disabilities) eligible to be added to Google Pay?
Currently, only full fare Ventra Cards (including those configured for O’Hare employees and Northwestern pass) can be added to Google Pay. Ventra Cards issued through special fare programs (RTA Reduced Fare, Student Ventra Cards, U-Pass cards, etc.) cannot be added to Google Pay at this time.
4. What devices and operating system can use Ventra Card on Google Pay?
Google Pay works on most Android Phones; we currently do not support Android Wear. iPhones are also not supported. Your phone must be running Android Lollipop (5.0) or higher, and it must have an NFC chip. Confirm in your settings that your NFC is turned on.
If you have an iPhone, learn how to add a Ventra Card to iPhone HERE
5. What version of Google Pay do I need to use Ventra Card on Google Pay?
You will need to have the Google Pay app version 2.12 or higher.
Adding Ventra Card to Google Pay
6. How do I add a Ventra Card to Google Pay?
You can transfer your existing full fare, plastic Ventra Card to Google Pay by following the steps below:
- Open the Ventra app and go to the Ventra Cards tab.
- Tap
(Add to GPay button) below the registered Ventra Card you wish to add to the Google Pay app.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to save your card to Google Pay and complete activation.
- You will then see your Ventra Card in Google Pay and its ready to use.
- Cut up and throw away your old, plastic card—it’ll no longer be valid once added Google Pay.
You can purchase a new Ventra Card to Google Pay in the Ventra app by following the steps below:
- Open the Ventra app, sign in or create an account.
- Select the Add Ventra Card icon
.
- Select Add Ventra Card to Google Pay and follow the prompts to add a pass or transit value. You will need to add at least $5 worth of transit value or a pass.
- Once the payment is processed you will see your Ventra Card in the app.
- Tap (Add to GPay) button.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to save your card to Google Pay and complete activation.
- You will then see your Ventra Card in Google Pay and its ready to use.
Tips:
To tap your Ventra Card in Google Pay, you only need to ‘wake up’ your device then tap and go.
You can only add one Ventra Card to Google Pay at a time. A Ventra Card in Google Pay can’t be loaded onto more than one device at a time—load it only to the device you wish to use whenever you ride.
Once you add a plastic Ventra Card to Google Pay, it’ll no longer be valid. We suggest you cut up and throw away your old, plastic card.
7. How many Ventra Cards can I add to Google Pay?
You can only have one (1) Ventra Card in your Google Pay account.
8. Can I have my Ventra Card on more than one device at the same time?
No, you can only activate a Ventra Card on one device at a time. Cards can be moved to another device with the same Google Account, but once it is transferred to another device, it will no longer be available on the original device.
9. Am I able to share my Ventra Card on Google Pay across Accounts?
No, you can only activate a Ventra Card in one Google Account at a time. However, Cards can be transferred to another account once they are removed from the current Google Pay account. You can go back to the Ventra app and save it to another Google Account of your choice.
10. Can I still use my plastic Ventra Card after adding the card to Google Pay?
No. Once a plastic Ventra Card is added to Google Pay, the plastic Ventra Card is no longer valid. We suggest you cut up and throw away the plastic card.
Request a new plastic Ventra Card here.
11. Will my Ventra Card in Google have the same card number as my plastic Ventra Card?
No. Once you add a Ventra Card to Google Pay, it will be assigned a new card number. It will retain the same Transit ID, so it will not affect any settings you have currently enabled with the Ventra Card (Autoload, Transit Benefits, etc.).
12. How do I remove a Ventra Card from my device?
Once a Ventra Card is removed from Google Pay, it’s automatically suspended and cannot be used until it’s added to Google Pay again (either on the same device or a new device). The Ventra Card will appear grey in the Ventra app. Please note that removing a Ventra Card from your device does not remove the Card from your Ventra transit account. The Ventra Card will retain the same Transit ID, so it will not affect any settings you have currently enabled such as Transit Benefits or existing passes and Transit Value in the account.
If you no longer want to use your Ventra Card in Google Pay, and want to move back to using a plastic Ventra Card, please call Ventra Customer Service for assistance at 1.877.NOW.VENTRA (1.877.669.8368).
In the Google Pay app:
- Tap on the menu button (three vertical dots) in the top right in Google Pay app.
- Choose ‘Delete’ card option.
- Confirm the prompt and your card would be removed from Google Pay.
In the Ventra app:
- Go to the Cards section of the Ventra app and locate the card you want to remove.
- Press Remove from Google Pay
- Follow steps to complete process.
13. Do I lose stored transit value or passes when I remove my Ventra Card from Google Pay?
No. Your transit value balance and passes will not be removed from your Transit Account, though any pass in your account that’s been activated for use will still expire as scheduled whether or not it’s on an active Ventra Card.
For help, call Ventra Customer Service at 1.877.NOW.VENTRA (1.877.669.8368).
14. I just got a new phone; how do I add my Ventra Card to my new phone?
It’s easy to do this using the Ventra app:
- On the new phone, download the Ventra app and log in with the same Ventra username you used with your card before.
- Go to the Cards section of the Ventra app and locate the Ventra Card that was on your device.
- "Ventra Card on another device" (or if removed from your previous device “Ventra Card not on any device”) message will be displayed just above the card’s nickname.
- Tap (Add to GPay button) for the Ventra Card you wish to add to your new device.
- Follow the prompts on the screen to complete the process.
15. Is there a limit in the number of times I can move my Ventra Card from one device to another?
Yes. Each Ventra Card in Google Pay can be moved between devices with the same Google Account up to five times in a year. If you need to move your Ventra Card in Google Pay after you’ve reached this limit for the year, call Ventra Customer Service at 1.877.NOW.VENTRA (1.877.669.8368) for help.
Adding Passes and Transit Value to Ventra Card in Google Pay
16. How do I add transit value or CTA/Pace passes to my Ventra Card in Google Pay?
Transit value and passes for CTA and Pace can be added to your Ventra Card in Google Pay using the Ventra app, at a Ventra Vending Machine, through Ventra website or calling Ventra Customer Service—just like with a regular plastic Ventra Card.
Autoload is available as an option, too—you’ll need to set up autoload using a credit or debit card in the Ventra app or your Ventra online account. Google Pay is currently not eligible for autoload.
17. Are the same passes and transit value options available for Ventra Card in Google Pay?
Yes! Ventra Card on iPhone or Apple Watch offers the same fare options including riding with transit value, all regular pass options, and the ability to pay for up to six others traveling with you. You can even have pre-tax transit benefit value or passes added to your account through your employer.
Note that only full fare Ventra Cards (and the fare options that come with them) are able to be added to Google Pay—special fare cards, such as RTA Reduced Fare, U-Pass cards, or Student Reduced Fare cards cannot be added to Google Pay at this time.
18. Can I add value to my Ventra Card through Google Pay?
Yes! To add transit value and/or passes to your Ventra Card from Google Pay:
- Tap Add money or pass
- You will be sent to the Ventra app where you can follow instructions to add value
19. Is there a minimum transit value or pass needed to add Ventra Card to Google Pay?
You can convert eligible, plastic Ventra Cards with any value or pass product in the account (even if the card has no balance) to a Ventra Card in Google Pay. (Free and Reduced Fare program cards cannot be added to Google Pay at this time.)
If you don’t have a plastic Ventra Card and want to create a new Ventra Card in Google Pay, you’ll need to start off with at least $5 in transit value or a CTA and Pace pass.
20. Can I use Transit Benefits to add passes and transit value to my Ventra Card in Google Pay?
Yes, a Ventra Card in Google Pay can be loaded with transit benefit value or passes, just like a plastic Ventra Card. If you’re converting an existing plastic Ventra Card to a Ventra Card in Google Pay, your transit benefits will be available and continue to be loaded as before since your card’s Transit ID will remain the same.
If you’re setting up transit benefits with your employer for the first time, they may need your card’s Transit ID to set up direct loading of fare into your card’s account or otherwise offer a prepaid transit debit card to use as a funding source in the app like you would any other credit card.
21. Can I use Ventra Vending Machines at CTA and Pace locations to add transit value or pass using cash to my Ventra Card in Google Pay?
Yes! Simply wake up your device and tap the top half of your device on the Ventra Vending Machine reader. Follow instructions on the Vending Machine to add transit value or pass to your Ventra Card on Google Pay.
Tap to Ride with Ventra Card in Google Pay
22. How do I tap my device to pay at CTA buses and trains and Pace buses?
Here’s a quick how-to-video on how to tap and pay at a Ventra reader with your Ventra Card in Google Pay.
When ready to pay for a ride at a Ventra reader with Ventra Card on Google Pay, simply wake up your device and tap your phone face—up to the Ventra reader’s yellow target. You’ll see “Done” and a checkmark on your phone, and go when you see the green “Go.”
23. I tried using my Ventra Card on Google Pay at a Ventra reader and it is not working. What should I do?
Confirm you are holding your device correctly and that your device is ‘awake,’ then tap and go.
When you pay at a Ventra reader with a Ventra Card in Google Pay hold the top half of your device face-up on the yellow target. You will see “Done” and a checkmark on the device.
24. Why was my credit card charged for my transit ride instead of my Ventra Card on in Google Pay?
If you have your credit card selected on your unlocked phone when tapping, it will charge that credit card instead of your Ventra Card. Otherwise, if you simply wake up your phone and tap it at a Ventra reader, it will always use your Ventra Card to pay for your fare.
Troubleshooting
25. What should I do if the wrong card was charged for my transit ride?
Please contact Ventra Customer Service at 1.877.NOW.VENTRA (1.877.669.8368) for help.
Remember to only present the payment method you wish to pay with at the Ventra reader.
26. How do I access my Ventra Card if my phone is lost or stolen?
If you phone is lost or stolen, go to android.com/find to erase your device.
When erasing your device, your Ventra Card will be removed from Google Pay and will not be available for use. It will appear as suspended in the Ventra app — Ventra Card will be grey and display “Ventra Card Not On Any Device" in the Ventra app. When you get a new device or find your device, simply log in to the Ventra app and follow the prompts to add your Ventra Card to Google Pay.
You can continue to view your Ventra Card balance from the Ventra Website or by calling Ventra Customer Service at 1.877.NOW.VENTRA (1.877.669.8368).
27. Can I remotely remove my Ventra Card from a phone I no longer have access to (lost or stolen)?
If you phone is lost or stolen, go to android.com/find to erase your device.
If you erase the device, your Ventra Card will be removed from Google Pay and will not be available for use. It will appear as suspended in the Ventra app — Ventra Card will be grey and display “Ventra Card Not On Any Device” in the Ventra app. When you get a new device or find your device, simply log in to the Ventra app and follow the prompts to add your Ventra Card to Google Pay.
28. Why is my Ventra Card grey in the Ventra app?
A grey Ventra Card means that it has been removed from Google Pay. The card is suspended and cannot be used until it’s added to Google Pay again (either on the same device or a new device).
29. What happens if my device dies and I have a Ventra Card on Google Pay?
Your phone needs to have battery in order to tap to ride. If your phone doesn’t have battery, you won’t be able to use Google Pay to ride.