Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Metra

Active Transportation Alliance, transit officials discuss suburban transportation challenges

By Igor Studenkov | Mar 30, 2021 | No Comments

The shortcomings of Chicago area public transit are self-evident to any suburban transit rider who has ever tried to get anywhere but the Loop.

The vaccination village at the United Center

Most people in Chicagoland can access COVID vaccination sites via transit

By Steven Vance | Mar 17, 2021 | No Comments

How do we make it easier for people across the region to access vaccinations without driving?

inside the special Metra express train to the 49th Street Training Center. Photo: Igor Studenkov

Metra, Loop building managers join forces to promote safe return to in-person work

By Igor Studenkov | Mar 15, 2021 | No Comments

"There’s no collaborative tool that can replace in-person networking," Metra CEO Jim Derwinski insisted. "You can’t build a company culture on a video call.”

A CTA bus driver on Sheridan Road early in the pandemic. Photo: John Greenfield

How COVID-19 impacted has Chicagoland public transportation workers

By Igor Studenkov | Mar 2, 2021 | No Comments

During the COVID-19 pandemic, at least 1,874 Chicago area transit workers tested positive for the disease, at least 14 had to be hospitalized and at least 14 passed away.

A Union Pacific North train pulls into the Ravenswood station. Photo: John Greenfield

Metra looks back at 2020 ridership, ticket sales as it plans for the future

By Igor Studenkov | Feb 25, 2021 | No Comments

Essential workers, transit-dependent residents, and bicyclists have made up a higher percentage of riders during the pandemic.

A Metra train pulls into the Palatine station. Photo: Igor Studenkov

Metra is unhappy about the RTA focusing stimulus funds on transit-dependent areas

By Igor Studenkov | Feb 22, 2021 | No Comments

The CTA would get $361 million, while Metra would get only $83 million, and Pace would get $22 million for fixed-route bus service, plus $20 million for paratransit.

Good mask compliance on a Red Line car in late December. Photo: John Greenfield

Local transit agencies: CDC mask mandate will give our existing rules more teeth

By John Greenfield | Feb 2, 2021 | No Comments

Hopefully now that the federal government is getting more serious about mask compliance, we'll see better behavior on this front from local transit riders.

Metra hints that it may eventually move to a less 9-to-5-focused train schedule

By Steven Vance | Feb 1, 2021 | No Comments

A "regional rail" scheme, with more frequent service during non-rush hours, would make the network more useful non-white collar workers, as well as non-work commutes.

Onboard a Union Pacific North line train today. Photo: John Greenfield

Is the Metra-Union Pacific feud impacting onboard safety and quality of life?

By John Greenfield | Jan 28, 2021 | No Comments

While's its way past time for Metra and Union Pacific to settle their differences, when it comes to safety and comfort on the UP-operated trains, things could be a lot worse.

Chicago's 95th/Dan Ryan terminal is in a Critical Service Area. Photo: John Greenfield

RTA plans to focus federal COVID stimulus funding to transit-dependent areas

By Igor Studenkov | Jan 25, 2021 | No Comments

The Regional Transportation Authority is planning to use federal stimulus funding to support transit services to "to the places and people across the region who most need transit" during the pandemic.

The new coaches will have level boarding. Rendering by Alstom.

Metra board chooses new modern passenger rail cars to replace 1950s “Gallery” cars

By Steven Vance | Jan 13, 2021 | No Comments

Metra has selected a new passenger coach design that will eventually replace the current "Gallery" cars.

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