Military Service Passes issued before August will expire this fall
The Chicago Transit Authority reminds those enrolled in the Ventra Military Service Pass (MSP) program that their MSP card will expire this fall. All cards issued before August 2015 need to be renewed. To assist those with expiring cards, the CTA is hosting multiple renewal events beginning in October through early December.
Nearly 11,000 active duty military personnel and disabled veterans are enrolled in the free rides program. All MSP cards issued before August 1, 2015 will expire on Tuesday, December 1, 2015. Free replacement cards will be issued on-site to current MSP card holders with the proper credentials at the following events between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. (all locations):
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph St.
Auditorium — Concourse Level
Chicago, IL 60601
DATES: October 6, 7, 14, 15 and November 12
Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
820 S. Damen Ave. Room 2446
Chicago, IL 60612
DATES: October 12 and November 23
CTA Headquarters
567 West Lake St.
2nd Floor, Rooms A, B and C
Chicago, IL 60661
DATE: December 2
In order to receive a replacement card on-site at these events, active military personnel and disabled veterans will need to bring the following credentials: 1) current Ventra Military Service Pass, 2) Valid state ID card, and 3) either a valid Armed Forces ID card (for active duty personnel) or an official letter from the United States Department of Veterans’ Affairs (USDVA) indicating service-connected disability compensation of 10% or greater; or indicating you are receiving military disability retirement pay in lieu of USDVA compensation at a rate of 10% or greater. Proof of compensation must be dated within the last 12 months.
After December 2, 2015, MSPs can only be renewed at the Ventra Service Center located on the 2nd Floor of CTA Headquarters, 567 West Lake St Chicago, IL 60661 (Monday through Friday 8 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.). Anyone with questions can call 1-877-NOW-VENTRA (1-877-669-8368) for more information.
The Military Service Pass program began in 2008, following passage of a Chicago City Council Ordinance establishing free rides on CTA buses and trains for anyone on active duty and in uniform as well as disabled veterans. If you are on active duty but not in uniform, your MSP must be presented in order to ride for free. Actively drilling National Guard or Army Reserves members also qualify and will need their Armed Forces ID card.
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