Early Reviews Are In: Chicago's New Transit App Makes it Easy to Pay the Fare

Steven Vance provides a positive assessment of the new Ventra app, which he says will make it easier for Metra riders to pay fares—whether they are grizzled transit veterans or casual riders.

"The best thing about the app is that it allows you to buy tickets and passes via your smartphone," writes Vance. "That means no waiting in line at a ticket booth, using an ill-designed ticket vending machine, or paying a surcharge on board. That’s a big plus if you’re rushing to catch a train and don’t have time to buy a ticket at the station."

Vance's had early access to the app as a member of the user testing group. His hopes for the new app: that the ease of payment reduces at least one barrier to transit use, and gets more people onboard. Vance also provides a play-by-play of a test run he gave the app on "a Metra excursion" to the South Deering neighborhood.