Ventra is the fare payment system for Pace, CTA and Metra.
For all Pace fixed route and On Demand services, the best way to pay your fare is with a registered Ventra Card. Riders are encouraged to get a Ventra Card and register a transit account at ventrachicago.com or by calling 1.877.NOW.VENTRA. Registered Ventra Card users can load multi-day passes and transit value to their card, and have their balance protected if the card is lost or stolen.
There are hundreds of suburban retail locations where customers can obtain Ventra Cards or reload value or passes to their accounts. To find your nearest Ventra retailer, visit the Ventra retailer look-up web page and enter your ZIP code, or look for the machine at any CTA "L" station, at Ogilvie Transportation Center, at Union Station, or at several Pace Facilities.
Other helpful information about paying your fare:
- Some riders qualify for reduced or free fares. See this page for more information.
- Riders can also pay with cash (using exact change) or contactless bank cards. Transfers to/from other Pace and CTA fixed route buses and trains are only available using a Ventra card or a contactless bank card registered with Ventra.
- You can pay for ADA Paratransit and Dial-a-Ride trips through Ventra by arranging the payment when you reserve your ride by phone call. For additional information about Ventra on paratransit, see this page. Details on Ventra payment for Dial-a-Rides is found here.
Ventra App
Riders with smartphones benefit from easier account management with the Ventra app--which has all the functionality of the vending machine, but fits right in your pocket! Pace, CTA and Metra worked together on development of the Ventra App, which allows customers to buy passes, add transit value and manage their Ventra account, as well as purchase and display mobile Metra passes and tickets using Ventra transit value and/or bankcards.
Exciting new improvements have come to the Ventra app and we want to make sure that your mobile devices are prepared to take full advantage of these new enhancements. Please make sure that the operating system in your mobile device is up to date. This will allow you to enjoy the full functionality of these new enhancements. NOTE: If you have a phone, tablet or other device running on an operating system of Android 6 and older or iOS 9 and older, you should consider updating your device or operating system. Unfortunately, these operating systems are no longer supported by their manufacturers and this may limit app functionality.
