Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Metra

Detail from a proposed redesign on the Milwaukee/Kilbourn bridge. Image: Philip Santos

2 cyclists were killed near Milwaukee/Kilbourn bridge. Let’s rebuild it to make it safer.

By Sharon Hoyer | May 23, 2022 | No Comments

Engineer Philip Santos notes that upgrading the area below the bridge would be more expensive and challenging, but well worth the trouble. “There have been two fatalities here. If you’re going to fix a bridge, do it right.”

A Pace bus approaches the Harvey Transportation Center, as seen from the Harvey Metra Electric station. Photo: Igor Studenkov

Report: Fair Transit South Cook pilot helped ridership recover from pandemic lows

By Igor Studenkov | May 17, 2022 | No Comments

Cook County’s review of the first full year of the Fair Transit South Cook confirmed some of what Streetsblog Chicago’s earlier dive into Metra ridership numbers suggested.

The Des Plaines Metra Station and Pace bus terminal. Photo: Igor Studenkov

Pace field-tests leased e-bus, will probably cancel redundant Pace/Metra PlusBus Pass

By Igor Studenkov | May 15, 2022 | No Comments

The suburban bus system is already using a leased electric bus to do some field-testing. It also plans to eliminate the now-superfluous PlusBus Pass, which allows Metra monthly pass holders to ride Pace buses for an extra $30 a month.

Brenda Barrie, who led the charge to demand a town hall format, and other residents at last week's meeting. Photo: Igor Studenkov

Mutiny at the meeting: Lakeview neighbors hijack Metra hearing to voice UP-N concerns

By Igor Studenkov | May 2, 2022 | No Comments

“We’ve been growing, gentrifying, changing the North Side, and you’re endangering everything we have done,” said one neighbor.

Catching a bus from the 95th/Dan Ryan Red Line station to the Altgeld Gardens housing project. Photo: Jeff Zoline

Advocates: RTA must overcome “bureaucratic anxiety,” prescribe bold action to save transit

By John Greenfield | Feb 22, 2022 | No Comments

"Transformational ideas may be controversial, but that is not an excuse to avoid them," the letter states. "We need serious and specific proposals to maintain the foundational roles transit plays."

An outbound Union Pacific West Line train at the Villa Park station. Photo: Igor Studenkov

Metra is recruiting workers in anticipation of post-Omicron schedule expansion

By Igor Studenkov | Feb 2, 2022 | No Comments

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.

The Washington-Wabash 'L' station. CTA and Metra rolled own new lower fare prices this year. Photo: John Greenfield

The lows and highs of Chicagoland’s 2021 transportation news

By Courtney Cobbs | Jan 7, 2022 | No Comments

It's likely 2022 will bring even more advocacy and direction action around sustainable transportation, and necessary and robust responses from city and state transportation officials.

A Metra Electric District train at the Pullman station on Labor Day Weekend, when the new Pullman National Monument opened. Photo: Igor Studenkov

Have reduced South Side Metra fares increased ridership? It’s complicated

By Igor Studenkov | Dec 8, 2021 | No Comments

The jury is still out on whether the Fair Transit South Cook reduced fare pilot, which launched in January 2021, has increased ridership on the Metra Electric District and Rock Island District lines.

Rendering of the rehabbed station, looking east.

$13M makeover will make Metra Electric 147th/Sibley station ADA accessible

By John Greenfield | Nov 16, 2021 | No Comments

Metra announced that a project is moving forward to rehab the Metra Electric District line’s 147th Street/Sibley Boulevard in south-suburban Harvey.

The Davis Street Metra and CTA stations in Evanston. Photo: Jeff Zoline

After lobbying by CTA and Pace, RTA board shifts some COVID funding from Metra

By Igor Studenkov | Nov 8, 2021 | No Comments

Under the new agreement, the CTA will get $912.1 million (61 percent of the funds), while Metra will get $513.6 million (34 percent) and Pace will get $71.3 million (5 percent).

A Metra Union Pacific West train and a CTA Green Line train cross paths on Lake Street. Photo: Jeff Zoline

CTA, Pace, and Metra are fighting over federal COVID stimulus funding split

By Igor Studenkov | Nov 5, 2021 | No Comments

CTA and Pace officials have objected to the Regional Transportation Authority's proposal for divvying up American Rescue Plan Act stimulus funds between those systems and Metra.

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