Metra is about to change how some downtown riders get on their trains, and it starts right at the door.
Beginning Monday, April 6, conductors on select off-peak trains will ask riders at Millennium Station, Union Station, and Ogilvie Transportation Center to show tickets before they even step on board. That means pulling up a QR code in the Ventra app or flashing a paper ticket so conductors can scan it with new handheld devices at the train doors.
Riders who normally buy paper tickets from conductors mid-ride will instead be asked to purchase tickets at station kiosks before boarding during the test.
What Metra announced
In a press release, Metra said conductors are "testing the speed, functionality, and durability" of handheld devices that would scan tickets at train doors, and the QR code system would replace the current visual checks on board, according to NBC Chicago. The agency said the initial test will focus on off-peak downtown services to reduce delays at the three big terminals. Metra did not provide a timeframe for how long the pilot will run or when it might expand.
How this departs from current practice
Right now, riders board first, and tickets get checked later, with conductors doing quick visual inspections as they walk the aisles. That setup is very different from the CTA's tap-before-boarding model.
The new pilot comes on the heels of a broader push to digital ticketing, including a 2024 fare zone overhaul and the closure of some ticket windows that raised concerns about access and app reliability, as digital transition concerns reported.
Why Metra says it's testing the change
Metra says scanning at the doors could speed boarding and cut delays at Millennium Station, Union Station, and Ogilvie Transportation Center, which handle a large share of downtown commuter traffic. The agency also suggested feedback from the test could help the newly formed Northern Illinois Transit Authority as the state works to integrate Metra, CTA, and Pace.
What riders should know
Commuters should make sure the Ventra app is updated and ready to display a QR code, or buy and print tickets at station kiosks when available. If your phone battery dies right before boarding, that could quickly turn into a problem.
Previous issues with the Ventra app have complicated last-minute ticket purchases and left some riders stranded, a risk advocates warn about during a digital rollout. A wave of Ventra app failures covered those problems.
What to watch next
The pilot is a test, not a final policy, and Metra has not announced an end date. Riders should keep an eye out for station notices and service alerts as the April rollout approaches and be prepared to show proof of fare at boarding on participating trains.
