Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Metra

A Metra worker uses "Ghostbusters"-like gear to sanitize an onboard restroom. Photo: Metra

Financially struggling Metra launches a marketing blitz to coax riders back onto trains

By John Greenfield | Sep 15, 2020 | No Comments

The new media juggernaut, dubbed "My Metra," includes ads on TV, traditional radio, streaming radio, billboards, social media, website, mailings and other formats.

Metra Electric Trains at the 57th Street. Photo: Jeff Zoline

Does relatively high Metra Electric ridership while fares were free show latent demand?

By Igor Studenkov | Aug 24, 2020 | No Comments

In its mid-year ridership report, Metra also said systemwide ridership is still nowhere near normal, and it won’t be normal for quite some time.

An unofficial Trump campaign bus. Image: CBS17.com

That’ll play in Peoria: Trump’s Illinois transit funding tweet is stale news

By John Greenfield | Aug 14, 2020 | No Comments

While Trump's transit tweet was relatively inoffensive and truthful, compared to his usual depressingly low bar, it wasn't actually saying anything new.

An outbound BNSF train. Photo: Jeff Zoline.

Metra adds express trains to BNSF and Rock Island lines

By John Greenfield | Jul 29, 2020 | No Comments

In another sign that Chicagoland transit is slowly coming back from dramatic ridership losses during the pandemic, Metra announced this week that it is adding express trains to its Rock Island and BNSF lines.

Metra commuters earlier this year during the pandemic. Photo: Charles Edward Miller

Metra releases ridership data to help customers avoid crowding

By Courtney Cobbs | Jul 8, 2020 | No Comments

Metra launched a Ridership Dashboard to give riders a heads-up about crowding issues, so that they can make an informed decision when planning their commutes.

An NCS train at the O'Hare station. Photo: Jeff Zoline

Despite COVID headwinds, study recommends ways to expand Metra NCS service

By Igor Studenkov | Jun 8, 2020 | No Comments

Metra North Central Service Line riders want weekend service and more frequent weekday runs. But that was a tall order even before the pandemic decimated transit ridership and revenue.

A Metra train viewed from the Cermak-Chinatown Red Line platform. Photo: Jonathan Lee

Uncharted territory: RTA leaders discuss how Chicago transit will survive COVID-19

By Igor Studenkov | May 21, 2020 | No Comments

How with the CTA, Pace, and Metra transport more people to work when the state reopens, while maintaining social distance, with a lot less money? That remains to be seen.

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.

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