Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Metra

Kedzie Station in East Garfield Park currently has low ridership, but use may increase thanks to a new artist district and food business incubator nearby. Photo: Igor Studenkov

Metra Considers a New Policy for Adding Infill Stations, Closing Low-Ridership Stops

By Igor Studenkov | Apr 17, 2019 | 45 Comments

While high-ridership lines could get new stops, the elimination of underperforming stations could further reduce transit access on the South Side.

How do you stay out the way of right-turning drivers while waiting for a red?
Photo: John Greenfield

Q & A: Right-on-Red Etiquette for Cyclists, Roosevelt Bus Route, and Metra Signage

By John Greenfield | Apr 15, 2019 | 16 Comments

Where's the best place to stand with your bike while waiting for a red? Why doesn't the Roosevelt bus go to the planetarium anymore? And why don't Metra trains have better signage?

Future site of the Peterson-Ravenswood stop. Photo: Igor Studenkov

After the Election, Two New Chicago Metra Stations Are on the Horizon

By Igor Studenkov | Apr 5, 2019 | 2 Comments

J.B. Pritzker released funding for the Peterson-Ravenswood station, but money for the Auburb Park stop is still on hold.

The report calls for mandating and encouraging the installation of electric vehicle charging stations. Photo: city of Chicago

Mobility Task Force Report Has Some Good Ideas, But Misses Some Opportunities

By Igor Studenkov | Mar 20, 2019 | 10 Comments

The study fails to mention that better collaboration between CTA, Pace, Metra, and the South Shore Line could greatly improve mobility for residents.

Metra Electric trains during the Polar Vortex. Photo: Jeff Zoline

Recent Metra-pocalypses Are a Wake-up Call That We Need Better Transit Funding

By John Greenfield | Mar 5, 2019 | 18 Comments

If the multiple service disruptions, culminating in last week's Union Station fiasco, don't convince lawmakers that our transit system needs an overhaul, nothing will.

A Metra UP-N train at Lake Forest station. Photo: Jeff Zoline

Metra Launching New Reverse Commute Service to Lake County Next Month

By John Greenfield | Feb 20, 2019 | 1 Comment

The extra runs are being bankrolled with help from Lake County municipalities and businesses.

An Amtrak train pulls into Glenview Station. Photo: Jeff Zoline

Glenview is Spending More Than Half a Million to Oppose Amtrak’s Hiawatha Expansion

By John Greenfield | Jan 22, 2019 | 36 Comments

Is it an understandable move, or just absurd NIMBYism?

Fox Lake station. Photo: Katherine Hodges

What It’s Like Riding Every Metra Line to Its Endpoint

By Katherine Hodges | Jan 9, 2019 | 9 Comments

Transit blackbelt Katherine Hodges describes what she encountered on her epic Metra odyssey.

Davon Clark, Mari Cohen, and Danielle Scruggs. Photo: Lynda Lopez

Brainstorming Ideas to Improve Transit at City Bureau’s Public Newsroom Event

By Lynda Lopez | Dec 27, 2018 | 16 Comments

City Bureau fellows discussed Metra's funding challenges, and strategies for improving Metra Electric service.

A Metra Electric District train. Photo: Eric Allix Rogers

Metra Gets a $2M Grant for Positive Train Control

By John Greenfield | Dec 19, 2018 | 1 Comment

The safety technology installation project isn't expected to be completed until 2021.

The Multi Modal Facility. Photo: city of Chicago

O’Hare Multi Modal Facility Will Make Taking Metra to the Airport More Convenient

By John Greenfield | Nov 7, 2018 | 16 Comments

On the downside, the new facility, which features 13 car rental offices, also includes over 2,600 car parking spaces.

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