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A bittersweet look back at 12 months of free Metra Union Pacific line rides
Union Pacific's refusal to collect fares during COVID cost Metra some $1M a month, but it opened up new options for affordable – or free – transit exploration.
June 8, 2021
Metra is getting bike-friendlier, with new dedicated bike cars on on Rock Island, BNSF lines
The cars will be available on both weekend and weekday trains and can be spotted by a blue and grey paint scheme, plus a white bicycle decal next to the outside doors.
May 14, 2021
Metra unveils 2021 construction projects, Peterson/Ridge station delayed
Metra announced a number of major construction projects for the 2021 construction season – but already, one of those construction projects has been pushed back a few months.
April 29, 2021
Union Pacific finally caves, agrees to start collecting fares on Metra trains again
Was it really safety that motivated Union Pacific to refuse to have its conductors collect fares until long after conductors on Metra-controlled lines went back to walking the trains, or rather a desire to force Metra to the bargaining table?
April 19, 2021
RTA survey: Most people who stopped commuting by transit during COVID plan to return
About 80 percent of respondents who weren't riding buses and trains on a frequent basis said they planned to to return to their pre-pandemic commuting habits once worries about the coronavirus ease.
April 15, 2021
Could new Metra service to Kendall County enable a fantastical journey to Oswego?
Now that we have cost estimates for extending the BNSF line to Kendall County, why should officials say no to Plano?
April 5, 2021
Active Transportation Alliance, transit officials discuss suburban transportation challenges
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.
March 30, 2021
Most people in Chicagoland can access COVID vaccination sites via transit
How do we make it easier for people across the region to access vaccinations without driving?
March 17, 2021
Metra, Loop building managers join forces to promote safe return to in-person work
"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.”
March 15, 2021
How COVID-19 impacted has Chicagoland public transportation workers
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.
March 2, 2021
