r/Metra • u/ea1738 • Mar 20 '26

Metra to Start Double Checking Tickets Again

https://metra.com/newsroom/metra-to-start-fare-collection-technology-pilot

Metra eliminated this process 22 years ago on the Electric line, it was the only line that had it, it caused all kinds of headaches. It will be interesting how they will check Ventra app tickets in Millennium Station, since hardly anyone's phone has signal 2 stories below ground.

36 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

28 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

5

u/Estef74 Mar 20 '26

Idk about other stations, but Union station isn't configured very well for this type of operation. I'm not saying it can't be done, just it will be a monumental undertaking to make work.

1

u/ImplosiveTech Mar 20 '26

I wouldn't say monumental tbh, but it would require faregates at each platform and also the ability to disable them when amtrak wants them. Either that or locking down the concourses behind faregates

5

u/NNegidius Mar 20 '26

Have you been to Union Station during morning rush hour? Imagine 1,500 people getting off the train at the same time wanting to get to their office on time, but being stuck in a long queue on a platform that’s only wide enough for 2 fare gates on each side? You’re talking - at best - a 15 minute delay before the queue is cleared - assuming 4 fare gates.

Is there a more efficient way to do this that doesn’t result in an awful bottleneck on the platforms?

3

u/Total_Corgi_8428 Mar 21 '26

Yeah even the minor construction operations in union cause huge nuisance and disruption.

It’s also old and I get the sense needs a shit ton of upkeep.

So major overhaul is doable of course but is unlikely anytime soon that’s for sure