Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Metra

The Metra All-Day Pass. Photo: Igor Studentkov

That’s the ticket! Metra’s new All-Day Pass has been unexpectedly successful

By Igor Studenkov | Jun 29, 2021 | No Comments

The All-Day Pass was originally only meant to last a few weeks, but it's been hugely popular. According to the railroad, about a third of all riders currently use it.

The zones within 10 miles of all Metra and South Shore Line stations. Excluding areas in Eastern Time, does this represent the boundaries of the region where Chicagolanders dwell? Map: Steven Vance

Is this Chicagoland? A modest proposal for defining the region

By John Greenfield and Steven Vance | Jun 25, 2021 | No Comments

is this a reasonable way to define Chicagoland, or does it exclude any towns that deserve to be considered part of the region?

An Inbound BNSF Line train waits at Aurora Transportation Center in late March. Photo: Igor Studenkov

Metra schedule pilots to bring biggest service increases to wealthier suburbs

By Igor Studenkov | Jun 11, 2021 | No Comments

When Metra recently announced schedule changes for several lines, they billed it as offering more off-peak options. But the reality was a bit more complicated than that.

An outbound Union Pacific North line train leaves Rogers Park station. Photo: Igor Studenkov

A bittersweet look back at 12 months of free Metra Union Pacific line rides

By Igor Studenkov | Jun 8, 2021 | No Comments

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.

Metra is getting bike-friendlier, with new dedicated bike cars on on Rock Island, BNSF lines

By John Greenfield | May 14, 2021 | No Comments

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.

Inbound Rock Island District train rides over the 79th Street bridge, past the site of the future Auburn Park station (foreground.) Photo: Igor Studenkov

Metra unveils 2021 construction projects, Peterson/Ridge station delayed

By Igor Studenkov | Apr 29, 2021 | No Comments

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.

A Union Pacific North rail car photographed in late January. Photo: John Greenfield

Union Pacific finally caves, agrees to start collecting fares on Metra trains again

By John Greenfield | Apr 19, 2021 | No Comments

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?

A #73 Armitage bus with a "Masked Required" message on its display. Photo: John Greenfield

RTA survey: Most people who stopped commuting by transit during COVID plan to return

By John Greenfield | Apr 15, 2021 | No Comments

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.

A new Metra station would make it easier to visit architect Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe's Farnsworth House in Plano. Photo: Wikipedia

Could new Metra service to Kendall County enable a fantastical journey to Oswego?

By Igor Studenkov | Apr 5, 2021 | No Comments

Now that we have cost estimates for extending the BNSF line to Kendall County, why should officials say no to Plano?

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.”

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