Ventra App Reviews

I really like this app! The reason I give 4 stars instead of 5 is the Metra stored tickets. Its kind of inconvenient to only have the metra tickets stored on the phone used to initially buy the ticket. If the app is enhanced so that metra tickets are stored in your profile (so if you log in from a different device, your ticket is there) then I would definitely give it 4 stars!

I was so excited to be able to add value from the app but it doesnt allow it. You can check your balance but not add value. Really disappointed. If you search the help function its not listed how to do so.

I enjoyed this app. You get up to date information for bus and cta rails. It provides numerous options within a 20 min time span, and its up-to-date notifications are great for even the most air headed individual. As a new app its breaking ground and reduces the need for any other cta tracker with the Ventra information accessible wthing he same app. A few things I wish were included witchin the app were: the ability to transfer funds from one card to the another wishing youre acct. Ive lost a couple Ventra cards, but no activity was on them. So having the ability to xfer fro my post card to a new one, or to use the existing balance to get another sent to your address.

In hopes of convincing this app to work, I reset my iPhone; I erased and restored my iPhone. All efforts were to no avail. Really hoped this would work for Metra as that would shave time off my morning commute. Logging in to my Ventra account did not bring up my already registered cards. Once I had Metra passes in my cart, I was unable to check out. Some days when Id open the app, it would just be a blue screen with the V design on the right. I am very disappointed. I hope this app gets an update to work soon!

It is an "OK" app. One the best features was the Transit Tracker to track bus and El train stops in one place. Unfortunately my favorite stops disappeared, so this feature is useless. I guess I should have expected anything designed to the CTA to only kind of work.

Purchased my monthly pass on the app. Updated my iOS software and ticket completely disappeared. Called up Ventra and they told me that it was a known problem and they they werent going to do anything about it so I was out the money. But they hoped I would use them again. I think Ill skip getting ripped off. Dont use the app.

Recently downloaded it to see my Ventra balance and thats all its good for. I thought I could use the bus tracker in the app but either it would be inaccurate or the app would crash. It crashes an awful lot

I have never been more excited for an app than I have been for this app!! I love that I am finally able to pay for my Metra on my phone, rather than digging for cash (that most of the time I dont have) or standing in line for a kiosk. The ability to pay for my Metra ticket through my phone is seriously life changing. Now, if only I could use the app to tap for the cta, that would be life-altering! I also wish there was a way to see a news-feed of train delays, issues, etc. that would be even better. I hate not knowing why my train is taking forever to get to me, so that I should just find an alternate way of transportation.

So I am enjoying this app I can have more than one card to manage on the same account for my PACE ADA account. Also pretty awesome is the bus tracker app which allows you to scan for buses around where your at which is EXTREMELY helpful if you do not have anything saved to your favorites list for the bus you want. The metra tracker and paying for metra is a welcome addition in fact it more than completes the app in what the state and metra users been asking for. Not only is this a brilliant way of paying with a credit card but it saves so much time. Forget to buy the ticket before you entered the metra train why pay a fee paying in cash thats five bucks when you can use this app? Also for those afraid of whether or not they will be getting a Signal all metra trains will have a wifi signal shortly so unless you simply like it the old fashioned way or have an old phone you have no excuse as a metra user to not have this app. Features I know are coming soon but not as of right now is to be able to pay using this app. When it gets that it will get another star. Also the pace routes dont go into north, south, east or west just an inbound and outbound which is extremely confusing because how do we know whats inbound and outbound. One we get that fixed youll get another star. Regardless this app is an essential using to travel around Chicago

I wouldnt suggest this app for daily Metra riders. Its just easier to have a ticket placed in the holder than to consistently listen out for the conductors coming down the aisle. I have to listen for them so that I have my phone up and ready. Id rather focus on my book/other apps/ videos. The conductors are always rushing and rude. I have to rush and get the app open and then press the screen. It doesnt seem like they enjoy the apps either.

Starts up in a half open state, like it’s swiped half way and flashes 3 or 4 times for my cards. Pace bus tracker is always off like only the printed schedule is being used. When it’s a weekday on a holiday schedule, the weekday info is being used, so you don’t get any indication that a bus is not running that day.

Not a good sign when the conductor is waiting for your frozen app to load.

Its great that I can buy my metra tix via the app and no longer have to carry a paper tix. But why is it so difficult to unbury it from the menu clog in the app. Can we just add wallet functionality like all the airlines do? Seems like this process slows the conductors down.

I use this every day on my metra ride. I try and get my ticket ready to go but once you navigate away from the app you need to take several steps to get back to the ticket. They should come up with a way to keep it up, like the airlines do with mobile tickets. Metra should also improve functionality with your favorites. Like when buying a ticket allow a shortcut for your favorite station. Its annoying to have to go through the process of selecting the line, station each time when we should be able to easily save this information for ticket purchase (similar to how they do it for Metra tracker). They should also improve functionality for the tracker including the ability to see trains in progress and not just future trains. I take the 5:09 train home and when Im on it, Id like to see what time it will arrive but you cannot select trains already on progress, only future.

I just need you guys to add a remove/ unregister card function. I have a card on the app I dont use any its annoying and I cant unregister it

I cant even create an account. It keeps saying my address is invalid.

Metra Tracker built into this app does not provide platform info. In Chicago, at the Ravenswood stop, Metra routinely changes which platform they arrive on without any advance notice on the web. They think an audible announcement is enough since they live in the late 19th century. Sorry, city streets with no crosswalks are hard to cross--even more so with strollers, bikes, wheelchairs. Please put advance platform info on the website. As an example of the neglect of the city around which this rail network is built, the robot announcement says "please look both ways before crossing the tracks." That does not apply to any city stations where you need to use an underpass and cross a busy street. Other functions: yes, finally, mandated by law and not of their own will Metra now deigns to let you buy tickets on the app linked with the CTA. Please visit Paris or Berlin before you praise this obvious step. UPDATE: Jan 2016 Now that you have an app, PLEASE INCLUDE THE PLATFORM INFORMATION FOR THE ARRIVING TRAINS. At UP-N Ravenswood, the inbound train at 11am often goes to the opposite side of the tracks. It may seem easy for you on the train, but it is dangerous to cross Lawrence and Ravenswood ave at the last minute. This is the second time Ive written about this. Keep in mind that VERBAL ANNOUNCEMENTS ON THE PLATFORM ARE NOT SUFFICIENT since you hear them only after carrying up a stroller or bike to the archaic East platform.

Theres a bar hovering over what I assume is some button Im supposed to click to finalize the purchase. This is on the split payment page. This functionality is necessary in advance of a new month starting, and this non-performance is unacceptable. Perhaps Im doing something wrong, but I doubt it.

I think this app is pretty decent the functions that it provides. For the people that claim that you can only see the train future tree what you need to do is look at a future stop to see what time your train arrive. You can do this easiest within the tracker. Also think its great that I can make in-app purchase via credit card because I can put tickets straight on my FSA account instead of saving receipts for tax time. AND I dont have to keep up with My 10-ride ticket! This app is a great start and can only get better.

I only use the app as my Metra pass (10 ride). Overall, this app works well and gets the job done. A couple small usability I suggestions: 1) Many people are on their phone on the train. If you plan ahead and open the pass, then switch apps while waiting for the conductor to come by, then switch back when hes there, the app goes back to the screen that shows the passes available instead of where I left it - on the pass itself. So now I have to click the pass again while the conductor waits. If the open pass just stayed open itd make it quicker for the conductors. 2) Every time I use a pass I have to click Metra Passes, the pass, confirm I want to use it. Itd be nice if it remembered that I was last in the Metra pass to save a step each way home. 3) It would be nice to be able to "buy again" when on my last 10 ride to quickly purchase the same exact pass instead of navigating to the buy screen and refilling in the type of pass, my source, and destination stations each time. This is definitely better than the paper passes and happy that this app is available. Thanks!