CTA plots improvements to Ventra app

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is one step closer to releasing a streamlined version of its Ventra mobile app that will allow riders to purchase fares on all of the city's transit systems.

The agency is working on a slew of improvements to its Ventra app based on feedback  from the Collaborative Civic User Testing (CUT) Group, which in May was commissioned to test the app.

In particular, developers plan to add a series of tutorial screens to introduce the basic parts of the app. They'll also make some cosmetic and functional improvements to the app's "Transit Tracker," which provides real-time arrival information for CTA, Metra and Pace, Chicago's suburban bus system.

"We are beyond pleased with how the CUT Group has helped us make the Ventra app better," said Michael Gwinn, CTA director of fare systems, in a statement. "They came up with a number of really helpful observations and suggestions that we listened and responded to, enriching the Ventra app’s usefulness and experience for customers."

The revamped app is expected to be released this fall, CTA officials said.

The Ventra app can already be used to purchase fares on both CTA lines and on Pace, but the latest version will allow riders to buy fares for Metra, as well.

To read more about the ways transit agencies and freight railroads are using apps, read this feature from the June issue of Progresive Railroading.