Ventra

Chicago Transit Authority

About this app

Use transit in and around all of Chicago: It's easy to manage and pay your fare on CTA, Metra and Pace buses and trains with the Ventra app. Find all the features you're used to on the Ventra website and more, including mobile ticketing for Metra trains!


With the Ventra app, you can:


• Check your balance and available passes in your Ventra Card's transit account.
• Instantly load value or passes to your Ventra Card's transit account.
• Switch autoload for transit value or passes on and off.
• Buy and use Metra mobile tickets to ride any Metra train.
• Use transit value you've loaded to buy a Metra ticket.
• Get real-time account notifications so you know when it's time to load more fare or buy more tickets.
• Get real-time arrival/departure information from CTA, Metra and Pace all in one app—by picking a stop, using favorites or looking at service near where you're standing.

Ratings and reviews

Zero stars! App takes at least 30 seconds to load every screen if not longer. Not user friendly. You're never clear which ticket you're getting. I wanted to buy the day pass and couldnt figure it out and had to have a local show me. The CTA website makes it very clear and then you get this mess of an app. Never was able to get the card to my google wallet so ended up just getting a physical ticket from the machine. Called to get a refund and their policy is NO refunds under any circumstances.

Half of the time I try to pay randomly doesn't work. it says I have no funds when I do. It's embarrassing when the bus driver and people are just trying to get going. There's 2 cards I can't remove one of them, tried changing defaults, etc, nothing working. There were times I couldn't load money. CTA is really losing out on money with this app. Pay your developers and/or hire competent ones. You will get return on investment.

Edit: it's been months now, and the "favorites" section still fails to show any times Do you need something convenient to buy transit fare with? This is a pretty good option. I prefer it to using Google pay or the actual website. Do you need something to check bus/ train routes and statuses? There are so many better apps. Like, actually don't get this one unless it's for the first option. It's slow, it's glitchy, and the bus/train information can be inaccurate more times than not.

What's new

The latest release of the Ventra App brings you updates to Metra fares for a more seamless commuting experience!

What's New:
Metra Fare Changes:
• Stay ahead of your journey with the latest Metra fare adjustments.
• The app now reflects the most up-to-date Metra pricing for accurate trip planning.