Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Metra Electric

Eyes on the Street: Metra Renovates 18th Street Electric Station

By Steven Vance | Nov 10, 2014 | 18 Comments

The South Loop-focused blog Sloopin reported last month that more residents in the Prairie District are using the Metra Electric service’s 18th Street station to catch a fast, on-time ride into the East Loop. A trip from 18th Street to Van Buren or Millennium Stations costs $2.75 and takes 10-15 minutes. A similar ride on […]

Metra Ridership Rising Unevenly; Development Could Maximize Its Potential

By Daniel Hertz | Jul 24, 2014 | 78 Comments

Start with the good news: Ridership on Metra, Chicagoland’s main commuter rail service, has grown almost 14 percent over the last ten years. It remains near the all-time high it reached in 2008, just before the Great Recession. On any given weekday, Metra provides nearly 300,000 rides across its 11 lines, or roughly as many […]

South Shore Residents Resist Demolition of Walkable Retail Block

By Steven Vance | Mar 20, 2014 | 36 Comments

South Shore residents have launched a campaign to rescue their neighborhood’s walkable retail core. Reclaiming South Shore for All, together with The Planning Coalition (representing over 70 neighborhood groups and block clubs), is urging developers to retain a block of buildings at the busy transit junction of 71st Street and Jeffery Boulevard rather than allowing them […]

One Change to IDOT’s Rail Plans Could Vastly Improve Amtrak, Metra Service

By Steven Vance | Feb 26, 2014 | 78 Comments

Amtrak trains would run faster between Chicago and Joliet in the Illinois Department of Transportation’s proposal to switch St. Louis-bound trains to less crowded tracks. But IDOT’s project could be even better with a few key changes. By folding the track upgrade known as CrossRail into the Amtrak project, IDOT could improve intercity trains and […]

Next South Shore Alderman Must Expand and Protect Existing Transit

By Steven Vance | Jan 22, 2013 | 3 Comments

A Metra Electric train crosses Yates Boulevard out of the South Shore station. Photo by Jeff Zoline. Applications are being accepted by Mayor Email until Friday, January 25 at 5 PM. Alderman Sandi Jackson of the 7th Ward, which includes South Shore, South Chicago, Rainbow Beach, and Jeffery Manor, resigned effective Tuesday. Mayor Emanuel has […]