Metra riders continue to experience glitches on Ventra app

The Ventra app continues to glitch after it crashed last week, leaving many passengers still unable to purchase tickets, Metra officials said.

The app first crashed Thursday morning, the first day new ticketing procedures were implemented. Metra said transit personnel are accommodating those who can’t buy tickets.

Ventra had appeared to be working Sunday but began to have issues again Monday due to the increased volume of riders, according to Meg Reile, a spokesperson for Metra. The cause of the glitches is unknown.

“There were software updates this weekend, and our vendor had assured us the issue was resolved,”  Reile said.

Among the changes implemented Thursday is the closure of all ticketing windows at Metra stations. Passengers can now only purchase tickets through the Ventra app, ticket vending machines or conductors.

“We are working diligently to resolve the issue and appreciate everyone’s patience,” Ventra said last week in a statement posted on X, the site formerly known as Twitter.

1- We apologize for the ongoing inconvenience related to Metra mobile ticket purchases in the Ventra app. We are working diligently to resolve the issue and appreciate everyone’s patience.

— Ventra Chicago (@VentraChicago) February 1, 2024

karmanini@chicagotribune.com