Metra tickets are validated by conductors as they walk through the trains. When asked, please be prepared to show the conductor your paper ticket, if purchased from a ticket vending machine, or your mobile ticket, if purchased from the Ventra app. Riders using the Ventra app should activate their mobile ticket upon boarding. Conductors will ask you to validate your mobile ticket by tapping your phone's screen when the ticket is displayed. You can also purchase One-Way Tickets and Saturday/Sunday/Holiday Passes from the conductor with cash.
Riders must present a valid ticket that covers the fare zones of their intended trip to onboard personnel or law enforcement on request or be prepared to purchase a ticket with cash or through the Ventra app.
One-Way Tickets purchased at ticket vending machines expire after three hours. Day Passes purchased at ticket vending machines are valid until 3 a.m. the day after purchase.
Mobile One-Way Tickets will remain active for a set amount of time, depending on trip length (passes will remain active for the duration of the pass valid period). Mobile Day Pass tickets, once activated, will remain active until 3 a.m. the next day. In the event of a service disruption, expired One-Way tickets will remain available for display to conductors for three hours; it is at the discretion of the conductor to accept a recently expired Ventra mobile ticket as valid fare payment.
It is the responsibility of the rider to ensure that their mobile phone remains adequately charged and otherwise in working order to display the mobile ticket as requested. Riders unable to display their mobile ticket on request may be asked to purchase a cash ticket on board.
Riders using reduced fare tickets who are unable to provide onboard personnel with proof of eligibility may also be asked to purchase a full-fare ticket.
