Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Metra

Metra's current bi-level railcar design. Photo: Jeff Zoline

What’s your Metra railcar redesign wish list?

By John Greenfield and Steven Vance | Jan 3, 2020 | No Comments

Metra wants to know what amenities, like tray tables, dimmable lights, and USB chargers, are most important to customers. But Streetsblog's Steven Vance says bolder design changes are needed.

The Riverview Bridge. Photo: John Greenfield

2019 was a year of new beginnings for transportation

By John Greenfield | Dec 30, 2019 | No Comments

In 2019 we got a new mayor who promised to use an equity lens for transportation decisions, the Divvy expansion deal, the scooter pilot, the fair ride-hail tax, and many other new developments.

Preckwinkle at the Active Trans meeting. Photo: Active Trans

Preckwinkle at Active Trans meeting: The South Side Metra plan would promote racial equity

By John Greenfield | Dec 9, 2019 | No Comments

The Cook County board president discussed why the proposal is an example of an equitable initiative that focuses resources on communities that need them the most.

As it stands, it's cheaper to buy a month of parking at many Metra stations than it is to buy a pass that let's you ride Pace to and from the station. Active Trans wants to change that. Photo: Active Trans

Here are the best things about Active Trans’ “Fair Fares” recommendations

By Courtney Cobbs | Dec 9, 2019 | No Comments

Streetsblog's Courtney Cobbs discusses the strategies from the transit equity study that she feels can make the most impact.

ATA launches petition to counter Lightfoot’s opposition to South Side Metra plan

By John Greenfield | Dec 4, 2019 | No Comments

Sign the petition to help convince the mayor to stop stonewalling the proposal by her former mayoral rival Toni Preckwinkle.

With no service cuts or fare hikes, Metra’s downtown budget hearing was a no-drama affair

By Igor Studenkov | Nov 5, 2019 | No Comments

At the meeting, officials discussed plans to spend $1 million to add “automatic passenger counters,” add shelters with heat lamps, and debut a new type of pass.

Mount Prospect participated in the Access to Transit program in 2016. Improvements included new shelters and pads to accommodate 60 new covered bike parking spaces. Image: RTA

Federal grants approved for 7 local projects to improve bike and ped access to transit

By John Greenfield | Nov 4, 2019 | No Comments

When bus stops and train stations aren't safe or convenient to walk or bike to, that can be a major disincentive to riding transit.

Lightfoot greeting CTA customers at the 95th Street CTA station during the mayoral campaign. Photo via Active Trans.

Lori doubles down on her resistance to frequent, affordable South Side Metra

By John Greenfield | Oct 29, 2019 | No Comments

It's time for the mayor to set aside petty territorial concerns, and get the Metra deal done.

Chicago's Ogilvie Transportation Center Metra station. Photo: Eric Allix Rogers

Metra holds public meeting on its proposed 2020 budget, with $480M in capital upgrades

By John Greenfield | Oct 10, 2019 | No Comments

The money will be spent on new and rehabbed rolling stock, station upgrades, yard improvements, and bridges.

Rendering of the Auburn Park Metra Station Rendering. Image: Metra, edited by David Zegeye

Auburn Gresham Metra stop, which broke ground yesterday, could spur South Side retail

By David Zegeye | Oct 1, 2019 | 7 Comments

While the current station design is too car-oriented, it does include a pedestrian plaza and plentiful bike parking.

71st Street with Metra Electric Line in the foreground. Photo: Eric Allix Rogers

Frequent and affordable Metra service would improve quality of life on the South Side

By David Zegeye | Sep 23, 2019 | 7 Comments

Fighting between transit agencies will continue to hurt Black and low-income South Siders the most.

Don’t let competition between agencies and politicians block better South Side transit

By John Greenfield and Steven Vance | Sep 20, 2019 | 12 Comments

Chicago mayor Lightfoot said she's against a proposal by Cook County, backed by her old rival Toni Preckwinkle, that would lower Metra fares and increase service, on the grounds that it would hurt the CTA.

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