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Hoosier new train route? Railfans flock to NW Indiana for maiden voyage on South Shore Line’s Monon Corridor. As John Mellencamp sang, “Check it out!”
All photos are by John Greenfield.
March 31, 2026
Metra riders learn the nitty-gritty about proposed fare changes at Loop outreach events
Many trips that don't involve downtown stops will get cheaper, but some passes may be eliminated, and the Cook County Fair Transit pilot may expire.
August 7, 2023
Why it’s difficult for newbies to navigate Metra, and how it can be made easier
The low quality of wayfinding and information design throughout Metra stations and onboard the trains is totally inexcusable.
September 12, 2022
Metra is recruiting workers in anticipation of post-Omicron schedule expansion
The Omicron surge derailed the potential Metra schedule expansion, but it hasn’t stopped the commuter railroad from actively hiring positions for when the service does ramp up.
February 2, 2022
“It’s foolish”: Experts say South Shore’s Mask Optional Car could cause super-spreader event
"Clearly, it’s a bad idea,” said one infectious disease expert. “It’s really letting an ignorant public make health decisions the leadership of the South Shore Line should be providing with guidance from state government."
October 9, 2020
How Will a New FRA Rule Affect Commuter Rail?
Misguided safety rules from the Federal Railroad Administration are cited as the cause for all sorts of problems, from high-construction costs to pedestrian hazards to, ironically, worse safety outcomes.
April 14, 2014