Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Metra

Metra Heritage Corridor Train crossing the South Fork of the Chicago River along the former Chicago and Alton Railroad Bridge. Photo: Jeff Zoline

Metra is slashing service on Heritage, SWS, and NCS lines

By John Greenfield | Apr 30, 2020 | No Comments

As a result of dwindling ridership, the railroad will be gutting service on the Heritage Corridor, SouthWest Service, and North Central Service lines starting Monday, May 4.

Elmhurst Metra station's current depot, which will be replaced and expanded. Photo: Igor Studenkov

Metra construction continues full steam (diesel, electricity?) ahead during COVID-19

By Igor Studenkov | Apr 15, 2020 | No Comments

A silver lining of the pandemic is that while Metra schedules are light, the railroad can get a jump on construction projects.

A South Shore Line train in Michigan City, Indiana. Photo: Jeff Zoline

With ridership steeply dropping, Metra, Pace, and South Shore have pared down schedules

By Igor Studenkov | Mar 27, 2020 | No Comments

Times are tough for local transit systems but their doing their best to cope.

Transit ridership is plummeting, the systems need a bailout, and transit workers need protection

By John Greenfield | Mar 19, 2020 | No Comments

It's going to stand with Active Trans in the fight to win emergency funding for transit and protect workers during the pandemic.

During the pandemic, we need to avoid crowding trains and buses. Photo: John Greenfield

Chicago transit ridership is dropping, but that’s actually a good thing

By John Greenfield | Mar 17, 2020 | No Comments

If you don't need to ride transit, then please walk, bike or, if necessary, drive where you need to go to help out those who must use the CTA, Pace, or Metra.

Having lots of people ride on crowded trains is bad idea if we're going to slow coronavirus transmission. Photo: John Greenfield

If you need to ride transit during the pandemic, do it. If you don’t, avoid it.

By John Greenfield | Mar 16, 2020 | No Comments

If you don't need to use public transportation during the pandemic, do the right thing and avoid riding it, which will make conditions safer for those who have no other option.

This shuttered CVS store on near Central Park/Division/Grand would be a great spot for a new Metra station and equitable TOD. Image: Google Maps

Building a Metra infill station in Humboldt Park would create job, housing opportunities

By Steven Vance | Feb 28, 2020 | No Comments

New infill stations in Chicago neighborhoods like Humboldt could take advantage of the Metra's regional reach, and fill in gaps in CTA service.

The Kensington/115th Street station on the Metra Electric District line's Blue Island branch. The proposed schedule change would make it easier to transfer between different kinds of runs at this station. Photo: Adam Moss

MED service changes for PTC would beef up Chicago service, change suburban expresses

By Igor Studenkov | Feb 24, 2020 | No Comments

Not to be confused with the South Cook Fair Transit project, Metra needs to adjust Metra Electric District schedules to accommodate Positive Train Control, a rail safety system.

Still from surveillance camera footage just before the impact.

Christopher T. Davis, 19, killed after Metra/car collision at crash-prone intersection

By John Greenfield | Feb 18, 2020 | No Comments

There were four train-motor vehicle crashes at the 87th/Pulaski Metra crossing over the past eight years, including a 2015 collision that killed two motorists.

Rendering of the proposed 103rd Street Red Line station. Image: CTA

Why not both? South Red Line project would complement, not compete with, rapid Metra service

By David Zegeye | Feb 17, 2020 | No Comments

When two out-of-towners on the payroll of an often-anti-transit organization exhort Chicagoans to "cancel" a rail project in an underserved neighborhood, skepticism is warranted.

The 111th/Pullman Metra Electric station. Photo: Jeff Zoline

At Pullman event, residents say pilot would make Metra accessible to more South Siders

By James Porter and John Greenfield | Feb 14, 2020 | No Comments

"Currently, [the Metra fare] prices a few folks out. A lot of people, especially in this area, can't afford it," said one attendee.

Mosaic of a Metra conductor at the Kenosha, WI, station. Photo: John Greenfield

No more free rides? Metra considers ideas to crack down on fare evasion

By Igor Studenkov | Jan 20, 2020 | No Comments

While Metra often seems to operate on the honors system, that may be changing in the future as the railroad adopts best practices from peer systems.

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