Attention Metra riders: Starting this week, there are some big changes to how you buy and use your train tickets.
The changes, which are scheduled to take effect on February 1, will close many ticket windows, install new vending machines and eliminate certain purchasing options.
The main change is that ticket offices will be closed on all railway lines. According to Metra, the BNSF Line’s ticket windows have already been closed by Jan. 8, and all remaining ticket offices, including the downtown Chicago station, will close on Feb. 1.
As a result of this decision, vending machines will be installed at the busiest stops and passengers will be encouraged to use the Ventra app on their mobile devices.
Ventra is the company’s preferred method of purchasing tickets, but one-way tickets and weekend day passes can still be purchased on the train, but at an additional cost if there is a vending machine at the boarding station. There is a possibility.
Another change includes the elimination of 10-ride tickets and incremental fares. The 10-ride pass will instead be replaced with a five-pack day pass, priced at 9.5 times the one-way fare between zones, the agency said.
Incremental fares, which allow passengers to upgrade existing tickets between zones, will be phased out from February 1.
Finally, the Regional Connect Pass, available to all Monthly Passholders on the Metra system, will only be available via the Ventra app starting February 1st. Metra says these passes cost $30 and give you unlimited rides on CTA and Pace. officials.
The changes come at the same time as a simplification of the fare system, with Metra reducing the number of zones covered from 10 to just four. The agency said the discounted fare program ends on February 1, and the new fare system will reduce fares on nearly all lines except Metra Electric Line.
Currently, a ride on the BNSF Line from Union Station to Aurora costs $8.25, but starting February 1, the price will drop to $6.75 per ride.
You can purchase a 5-pack of day passes for $64.25 and monthly passes for $135. Saturday, Sunday, and holiday passes are $7, and weekend passes are $10.
Click here for a complete list of prices and how zones are assigned.