Metra commuters in Chicago were hit with a double-whammy on Thursday as a new fare structure took effect and the Ventra app crashed, leaving riders unable to easily purchase digital tickets. The app, which is now a central piece of the Metra ticketing system due to the closure of ticket windows, was reported to be unstable prior to the outage. "I wish it were more of a surprise, as the app has been spotty for I think some time, so it's just unfortunate that they're pushing us to the app when they don't have it really stable," Metra rider Gretchen Madsen told ABC7 Chicago.
The collapse of the app occurred as Metra introduced changes including a reduction in fare zones from ten to four, the elimination of 10-ride tickets, and the introduction of a new Day Pass 5-Pack. One-way tickets and weekend day passes can still be bought on trains but may include a surcharge if vending machines are available. Metra's aim to simplify the system has generally lowered prices to pre-pandemic levels. "All of the fares are lower before COVID happened, so what we've done is we've eliminated the sort of promotional fares we had going on during COVID and we've lowered all the fares to before COVID happened so they're all lower than the pre-pandemic rates," Metra spokesperson Michael Gillis said in a statement obtained by ABC7 Chicago.
A ride from Union Station to Aurora on the BNSF line, for instance, previously cost $8.25, but as of Feb. 1, it has dropped to $6.75. The new Day Pass 5-Pack will set riders back $64.25, and a monthly pass is now priced at $135. Despite these changes aimed at invigorating flagging ridership since the pandemic, Metra riders have expressed concerns. "I know everybody needs to make a living, but it's an increase in pricing and it's a challenge," Metra rider Margaret Harrell expressed her concern in an interview with ABC7 Chicago. "They want to get fares up, but I'm not sure they want to get ridership up. I'm not sure increasing the pricing is going to help them get ridership up."
Metra officials assured that they are working to promptly resolve the Ventra app issue, while conductors have been alerted to the situation, offering some relief for commuters currently unable to use the digital service. According to NBC Chicago, Metra is ushering in additional facilities such as installing new bike racks on rail cars that can hold two to four bicycles, catering to the eco-friendly crowd. Moreover, a new partnership among Cook County, Metra, and RTA is set to broaden affordable transit access to low-income riders in the greater Chicago area, a measure that could counterbalance some of the discontent over the recent fare increases and technology snafus.
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