Publication Date
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Body
A 23-year-old Streamwood man has been arrested for trying to use a fake mobile ticket to pay his train fare, Metra announced today.
Daniel D. Rasinski, 23, of Streamwood, Ill., was arrested Tuesday morning after he attempted to pay his fare by using his cellphone to display a fake ticket while riding on the Milwaukee West Line.
According to Metra Police, the train’s conductor became suspicious of the mobile ticket after noticing a difference in security features. The conductor then notified Metra Police, who responded, investigated and arrested Rasinski. Since his phone was used to commit the crime, it was seized as evidence.
Rasinski was charged with theft, a Class A misdemeanor and transported to the Chicago Police Department’s First District for bonding. He is scheduled to appear at Cook County Court Branch 43 on April 29.
Metra, CTA and Pace launched the Ventra mobile ticketing app last November. The Ventra app allows Metra riders to purchase and display tickets on their smartphones using a Ventra account or personal credit or debit card.
“We have security measures in place to prevent counterfeiting of our mobile tickets, just as we do for our printed tickets,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno. “We have zero tolerance for riders who don’t pay their fares and will continue to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”
Currently, Metra customers show their mobile tickets to the conductor when the conductor is checking for tickets. The conductor asks the customer to touch the screen; which prompts the colors in the animation to change, allowing the conductor to visually check that the ticket is valid. The tickets include other features to assist our conductors in quickly confirming the ticket activation and valid time.
Metra mobile tickets stay active in the app for a set amount of time. Tickets for longer trips as determined by the origin and destination or zones remain active longer than shorter trips. Monthly passes and weekend passes remain active for the month or weekend they are activated.
“If anyone is caught using a fraudulent version of the mobile app on any Metra train, they will be charged and their phone will be confiscated,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno. “On behalf of Metra customers who pay their fair share every day, we will continue to try to collect every dollar that is owed to us.”
Metra riders that have information about potential fraudulent use of the app are asked to contact the Metra Police at 312-322-2800.