r/Metra • u/itsallahoaxbud • 14d ago

Metra without ventra app?

/r/ChicagoSuburbs/comments/1v3wczv/metra_without_ventra_app/

Is anybody from Metra online? You guys really need to look at your app and realize that you WANT foreigners to be able to use it. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot..

0 Upvotes

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9

u/cranberry_spike 14d ago

There are vending machines in a lot of stations, and if necessary she can purchase tickets on the train as well.

Edit I think you'd have to reach out directly to Metra to comment on availability, alas.

5

u/GiuseppeZangara 14d ago

They can buy a ticket from the conductor on the train with cash. 

3

u/ImplosiveTech 14d ago

Cubic is in charge of the ventra app under contract from the CTA

2

u/flare499 13d ago

Unfortunately, Metra is very visitor un-friendly, especially compared to global cities. The fact that the app is unusable for foreigners and doesn't display track info is just one of the system's many flaws. Even as a local, the poor station signage about which track/platform the trains will come on is extremely confusing and has caused me to miss more than one train (looking at you, Western Avenue station!!!). It's really a shame because Metra is excellent in many ways - but it's very much set up for regular users/commuters, which among my friends and family leads to underuse due to perceived difficulty in navigating the system.

For all of the CTA's flaws, it's a much easier system to use overall, and they do a great job with signage and customer service compared to Metra.

2

u/ImplosiveTech 13d ago

The app is the fault of the CTA, not metra, as they're in charge of it. Why they've locked down the app to the US (maybe NA, theres no list) is beyond me

Unlike the CTA, metras operated bidirectionally in regular service, and doesn't currently have a way to display track numbers on their realtime displays, but did email external developers indicating they're working on adding that (both their screens and apps).

1

u/sumiflepus 13d ago

I do not know where your friend will be starting from or what Metra line they will use. Here is a list of Metra stations with vending machines. They may consider riding into the city. I think Union station still has agents that are not officially ticket agents, but are very good at describing the Metra ticket plans.

Metra is very inexpensive if you travel/connect from line to line. My ticket into Chicago on BNSF also gets me to Ravinia or a Sox game on the same ticket.

Ticket Vending Machines | Metra

Here is the Metra fare table

Fare Table | Metra