Learning that some of you only activate Metra tickets only once you see a conductor. I activate mine the second I get on board. Let’s be high social trust, folks.
Replies
sometimes i even activate mine before i step on the train and am walking down the platform just to feel the rush
aug 26, 2025, 2:22 pm • 3 0 • view
On a recent return from Kenosha, I saw a group of 4 who had or claimed to have (1) no Ventra app on their phone, so no ticket to activate and (2) no cash or debit/card available. They clearly expected to be let off with a warning. At one point, three conductors were involved. They finally paid up.
aug 26, 2025, 1:38 pm • 6 0 • view
Now that they expire quick and I have real income I definitely do this. Back in the day when I was a college student getting a ten pass I would use over the course of a year to go home on weekends occasionally, you bet your bottom dollar I was hovering over that button until the conductor found me.
aug 26, 2025, 2:26 pm • 4 0 • view
i feel you. I support free transit for children and uni students, as well as folks who have a tight income.
aug 26, 2025, 3:09 pm • 5 0 • view
I laid down on the floor of the top level a few times in HS when I needed to get home and didn't have any money. I would have preferred to stay off the ground. This was before you could beg a friend or family to quickly and easily send you a few bucks for fare.
aug 26, 2025, 6:19 pm • 6 0 • view
My spouse once got kicked off the metra bringing his laundry home from college because he got on not realizing he didn't have cash on him. He had to then buy a ticket with the credit card kiosk that station thankfully had and wait at least an hour for the next train.
aug 26, 2025, 7:00 pm • 3 0 • view
What’s the exchange rate for dirty socks to Metra fares?
aug 26, 2025, 7:01 pm • 3 0 • view
Oh man. That's awful! That wasn't even an option when I was in hs though. It was only at the ticket window or cash in the train.
aug 26, 2025, 7:33 pm • 2 0 • view
Given the amount of times I've seen conductors not collect fares, especially during high-ridership events where they're literally letting thousands of dollars slip away, I'm not surprised.
aug 26, 2025, 1:46 pm • 7 0 • view
Yeah, fare enforcement is good actually.
aug 26, 2025, 1:50 pm • 5 0 • view
Someone out there has to have done an average per-trip cost analysis. $3,000 (6 gallery cars x ~100 riders/car x $10 day pass x 50% social trust fare activation even w/o conductor) has got to still be a benefit over enforcement cost.
aug 26, 2025, 1:51 pm • 0 0 • view
I used to HATE riding Metra because they never came to get my money. I love that tickets are bought from machines now. I assume it means more people pay
aug 26, 2025, 6:46 pm • 2 0 • view
i like tapping it and watching the color change lol
aug 26, 2025, 1:39 pm • 2 0 • view
tap tap tap tap tap
aug 26, 2025, 1:41 pm • 5 0 • view