CHICAGO (CBS) -- Commuters had so much trouble with the CTA's Ventra payment cards workers in yellow vests offered thousands of free rides.

The CTA estimates it gave away 15,000 free rides Tuesday as 165 Ventra card readers experienced problems at 60 stations. The first issues were reported around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

"If you have a Ventra card and it's not working, feel free to walk through the gate," said one CTA worker at State and Lake.

The CTA confirms it sent Ventra technicians out to fix the glitches.

Riders say free rides made them feel somewhat better about travel troubles at CTA train stations.

"They've been having a lot of setbacks for the past couple of months and it's the least they can do for people" said CTA Rider Ulises Hernandez.

"I think it's confusing because they had a lot of hype around it. But I think it's fair because some people aren't able to get on the train and late for work and school and stuff," said CTA Rider Charles Jones.

According to the CTA, the problems with the card readers was resolved Tuesday night. They say the problems were traced to a server failure. The CTA will bill the Ventra vendor Cubic for the 15,000 free rides.