As a native Chicagoan, it still impresses me to be a part of the second-largest public transportation system in the United States. The majority of those living in the Chicagoland area learned a long time ago that public transportation is the more affordable and least stressful way to travel. The Ventra app provides a convenient new tool for a traveling public that wants smart apps to simplify fare payment.
With so many apps on the market today one might be surprised to learn how few of them actually meet our most basic needs. However, the new Ventra app in Chicago does not fall into this category. This one is a must-have.
The Ventra app – rolled out in November 2015 – allows riders of the three regional agencies (Chicago Transit Authority, Pace suburban bus operator and Metra commuter rail) to meet their ticketing needs with ease and convenience. Gone are the days of having to remember if your pass has expired or your account balance is low because you can elect to receive account notifications. And you can say goodbye to standing in long lines at a store or station to purchase a ticket or pass at the risk of missing your bus or train.
With an Illinois state law requiring the three regional transit agencies to adopt a universal fare system by 2015, Metra needed a way to transition from a paper-based system and provide its riders who otherwise couldn’t participate in the original Ventra account-based contactless smart card system the ability to do so. However, because Metra is a proof-of-payment system relying on ticket inspection by a conductor, this posed a challenge. CTA, Metra and Pace moved forward with the logical next step to create an app that essentially put Ventra and Metra vending machines in the pockets of customers. Metra customers using the app can now purchase tickets and display them on their mobile phones to conductors. The app has been a resounding success with more than 250,000 downloads within the first two months of launch, and a million rides used on Metra through Metra mobile tickets purchased on the app.
Other features of the app include Ventra account management and real-time transit tracker information for CTA, Metra and Pace – all in one place.
With such positive response, it’s no wonder Chicago leads the way with this multi-purpose app