Metra

Last updated
Metra
Metra Logo.svg
Outbound Metra at Schiller Park.jpg
An outbound North Central Service train approaches Schiller Park station in June 2019, being led by an Ex-Amtrak EMD F59PHI
Overview
Owner Regional Transportation Authority (RTA)
Locale Chicago metropolitan area, United States
Transit type Commuter rail
Number of lines11
Number of stations241 year-round, 1 seasonal, 2 under construction
Daily ridership152,400 (weekdays, Q4 2023) [1]
Annual ridership31,894,900 (2023) [2]
Chief executiveJames M. Derwinski [3]
Headquarters547 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60661
Website metra.com
Operation
Began operation1984
Operator(s)Metra, Union Pacific Railroad, BNSF Railway
Reporting marks METX
Technical
System length487.5 miles (784.6 km) [4]
Track gauge 4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Electrification
System map
Metra
‡ = temporarily closed for reconstruction
◇ = under construction
 
 4 
BSicon fKHSTACCa.svg
  Kenosha  
BSicon fSTR+GRZq.svg
BSicon fHSTACC.svg
Winthrop Harbor
BSicon fHSTACC.svg
Zion
BSicon fACC.svg
Waukegan
  Harvard  
BSicon KHSTACCa yellow.svg
BSicon fHSTACC.svg
North Chicago
Woodstock
BSicon HSTACC yellow.svg
BSicon fHSTACC.svg
Great Lakes
Crystal Lake
BSicon ACC yellow.svg
BSicon fHSTACC.svg
Lake Bluff
  McHenry  
BSicon ABZg+l yellow.svg
BSicon KHSTACCeq yellow.svg
BSicon fHSTACC.svg
Lake Forest
Pingree Road
BSicon INTACC yellow.svg
BSicon fHSTACC.svg
Fort Sheridan
Cary
BSicon HSTACC yellow.svg
BSicon fHSTACC.svg
Highwood
Fox River Grove
BSicon HSTACC yellow.svg
BSicon fACC.svg
Highland Park
Barrington
BSicon ACC yellow.svg
BSicon KHSTACCa purple.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
  Antioch  
Palatine
BSicon ACC yellow.svg
BSicon HSTACC purple.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Lake Villa
  Big Timber Road  
BSicon KHSTACCa saffron.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon HSTACC purple.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Round Lake Beach
Elgin
BSicon ACC saffron.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon HSTACC purple.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Washington Street
National Street
BSicon HSTACC saffron.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon KHSTACCa ochre.svg
BSicon STR purple.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
  Fox Lake  
Bartlett
BSicon HSTACC saffron.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon HSTACC ochre.svg
BSicon STR purple.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Ingleside
Hanover Park
BSicon HSTACC saffron.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon HSTACC ochre.svg
BSicon STR purple.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Long Lake
Schaumburg
BSicon HSTACC saffron.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon HSTACC ochre.svg
BSicon STR purple.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Round Lake
Roselle
BSicon HSTACC saffron.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon ACC2 ochre.svg
BSicon STRc3 ochre.svg
BSicon STR3 purple.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Grayslake
  Elburn  
BSicon KHSTACCa pink.svg
BSicon STR saffron.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon HSTACC+1 purple.svg
BSicon STRc1 ochre.svg
BSicon 4HUBa@Fq.svg
BSicon GRZaq.svg
BSicon HSTACC+4 ochre.svg
BSicon 4HUBe@Gq.svg
BSicon GRZeq.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Prairie Crossing
La Fox
BSicon HSTACC pink.svg
BSicon STR saffron.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon STR purple.svg
BSicon HSTACC ochre.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Libertyville
Geneva
BSicon ACC pink.svg
BSicon STR saffron.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon STR purple.svg
BSicon ACC ochre.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Lake Forest
West Chicago
BSicon HSTACC pink.svg
BSicon STR saffron.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon STR purple.svg
BSicon HSTACC ochre.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Deerfield
Winfield
BSicon HSTACC pink.svg
BSicon STR saffron.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon HSTACC purple.svg
BSicon STR ochre.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Mundelein
Wheaton
BSicon ACC pink.svg
BSicon STR saffron.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon HSTACC purple.svg
BSicon STR ochre.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Vernon Hills
College Avenue
BSicon HSTACC pink.svg
BSicon STR saffron.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon HSTACC purple.svg
BSicon STR ochre.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Prairie View
Glen Ellyn
BSicon HSTACC pink.svg
BSicon STR saffron.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon ACC purple.svg
BSicon STR ochre.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Buffalo Grove
 4 
 3 
Wheeling
BSicon STR pink.svg
BSicon STR saffron.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon HSTACC purple.svg
BSicon STR ochre.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Prospect Heights
BSicon STR pink.svg
BSicon STR saffron.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon HSTACC purple.svg
BSicon STR ochre.svg
BSicon fHSTACC.svg
Ravinia
Medinah
BSicon STR pink.svg
BSicon HSTACC saffron.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon STR purple.svg
BSicon STR ochre.svg
BSicon fpHST.svg
Ravinia Park
Wheelchair symbol.svg (Seasonal)
Itasca
BSicon STR pink.svg
BSicon HSTACC saffron.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon STR purple.svg
BSicon STR ochre.svg
BSicon fHSTACC.svg
Braeside
Wood Dale
BSicon STR pink.svg
BSicon HSTACC saffron.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon STR purple.svg
BSicon STR ochre.svg
BSicon fHSTACC.svg
Glencoe
Bensenville
BSicon STR pink.svg
BSicon HSTACC saffron.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon STR purple.svg
BSicon STR ochre.svg
BSicon fHST.svg
Hubbard Woods
Lombard
BSicon HSTACC pink.svg
BSicon STR saffron.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon STR purple.svg
BSicon STR ochre.svg
BSicon fACC.svg
Winnetka
Villa Park
BSicon HSTACC pink.svg
BSicon STR saffron.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon STR purple.svg
BSicon STR ochre.svg
BSicon fHST.svg
Indian Hill
Elmhurst
BSicon ACC pink.svg
BSicon STR saffron.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon STR purple.svg
BSicon STR ochre.svg
BSicon fHSTACC.svg
Kenilworth
Arlington Park
BSicon STR pink.svg
BSicon STR saffron.svg
BSicon HSTACC yellow.svg
BSicon STR purple.svg
BSicon HSTACC ochre.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Lake Cook Road
Arlington Heights
BSicon STR pink.svg
BSicon STR saffron.svg
BSicon ACC yellow.svg
BSicon STR purple.svg
BSicon HSTACC ochre.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Northbrook
Mount Prospect
BSicon STR pink.svg
BSicon STR saffron.svg
BSicon HSTACC yellow.svg
BSicon STR purple.svg
BSicon HSTACC ochre.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
North Glenview
Cumberland
BSicon STR pink.svg
BSicon STR saffron.svg
BSicon HSTACC2 yellow.svg
BSicon STRc3 yellow.svg
BSicon STR3 purple.svg
BSicon INTACC ochre.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Glenview BSicon LOGO Amtrak2.svg
Des Plaines
BSicon STR pink.svg
BSicon STR saffron.svg
BSicon STRc1 yellow.svg
BSicon STR+1 purple.svg
BSicon INTACC+4 yellow.svg
BSicon HSTACC ochre.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Golf
 3 
 2 
O'Hare Transfer
BSicon STR pink.svg
BSicon STR saffron.svg
BSicon INTACC purple.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon HSTACC ochre.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Morton Grove
Rosemont
BSicon STR pink.svg
BSicon STR saffron.svg
BSicon HSTACC purple.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon HSTACC ochre.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Edgebrook
Schiller Park
BSicon STR pink.svg
BSicon STR saffron.svg
BSicon HSTACC purple.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon HST ochre.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Forest Glen
Belmont Avenue
BSicon STR pink.svg
BSicon STR saffron.svg
BSicon HSTACC purple.svg
BSicon HSTACC yellow.svg
BSicon STR ochre.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Dee Road
Mannheim
BSicon STR pink.svg
BSicon HST saffron.svg
BSicon STR purple.svg
BSicon HSTACC yellow.svg
BSicon STR ochre.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Park Ridge
Franklin Park
BSicon STR pink.svg
BSicon ACC saffron.svg
BSicon cSTRc2 purple.svg
BSicon dSTR3 purple.svg
BSicon HSTACC yellow.svg
BSicon STR ochre.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Edison Park
River Grove
BSicon STR pink.svg
BSicon lvINTACC.svg
BSicon dSTR saffron.svg
BSicon dSTR+1 purple.svg
BSicon dSTRc4 purple.svg
BSicon HSTACC yellow.svg
BSicon STR ochre.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Norwood Park
Elmwood Park
BSicon STR pink.svg
BSicon mvHSTACC-STR saffron+purple.svg
BSicon HST yellow.svg
BSicon STR ochre.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Gladstone Park
Mont Clare
BSicon STR pink.svg
BSicon mvHSTACC-STR saffron+purple.svg
BSicon INTACC2 yellow.svg
BSicon STRc3 yellow.svg
BSicon STR3 ochre.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Jefferson Park
Mars
BSicon STR pink.svg
BSicon mvHSTACC-STR saffron+purple.svg
BSicon STRc1 yellow.svg
BSicon STR+1 ochre.svg
BSicon HSTACC+4 yellow.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Irving Park
Galewood
BSicon STR pink.svg
BSicon mvHSTACC-STR saffron+purple.svg
BSicon HST ochre.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Mayfair
Hanson Park
BSicon STR pink.svg
BSicon mvHSTACC-STR saffron+purple.svg
BSicon HST ochre.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Grayland
Grand/Cicero
BSicon STR pink.svg
BSicon mvHSTACC-STR saffron+purple.svg
BSicon HSTACC ochre.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon fSTR.svg
Healy
Berkeley
BSicon HSTACC pink.svg
BSicon dSTR saffron.svg
BSicon dSTR purple.svg
BSicon STR ochre.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon fHSTACC.svg
Wilmette
Bellwood
BSicon HSTACC pink.svg
BSicon dSTR saffron.svg
BSicon dSTR purple.svg
BSicon STR ochre.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon fHSTACC.svg
Evanston Central Street
Melrose Park
BSicon HSTACC pink.svg
BSicon dSTR saffron.svg
BSicon dSTR purple.svg
BSicon STR ochre.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon fINTACC.svg
Evanston Davis Street
Maywood
BSicon HSTACC pink.svg
BSicon dSTR saffron.svg
BSicon dSTR purple.svg
BSicon STR ochre.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon fHSTACC.svg
Evanston Main Street
River Forest
BSicon HST pink.svg
BSicon vSTR2~l purple.svg
BSicon vSTR2~r saffron.svg
BSicon vSTRc3 purple.svg
BSicon STR ochre.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon fHSTACC.svg
Rogers Park
Oak Park
BSicon INTACC2 pink.svg
BSicon cSTRc3 pink.svg
BSicon vSTRc1 saffron.svg
BSicon tSPL4+2~l purple.svg
BSicon mSPL4+2 saffron+purple.svg
BSicon vSTR- ochre.svg
BSicon STRc3 saffron.svg
BSicon tSTRc3 purple.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon feHSTACC.svg
Peterson/Ridge
Kedzie
BSicon STRc1 pink.svg
BSicon HST2+4 pink.svg
BSicon STRc3 pink.svg
BSicon tcSTRc1 purple.svg
BSicon cSTRc1 saffron.svg
BSicon dSTR+4 saffron.svg
BSicon tdSTR+4 purple.svg
BSicon vSTR- ochre.svg
BSicon vKSTRa- black.svg
BSicon STR yellow.svg
BSicon fINTACC.svg
Ravenswood
Western Avenue
BSicon STRc1 pink.svg
BSicon STRc2 black.svg
BSicon STR2+4 pink.svg
BSicon INTACC3 black.svg
BSicon fSTRc2.svg
BSicon INT-L yellow.svg
BSicon lINT3-R.svg
BSicon fSTR3.svg
Clybourn
BSicon SHI4c2 black.svg
BSicon STR3h+1 black.svg
BSicon STRc4 black.svg
BSicon STRc2 yellow.svg
BSicon ftSTRc2.svg
BSicon STR+4 pink.svg
BSicon STR3 yellow.svg
BSicon ftSTR3+1.svg
BSicon fSTR3+1.svg
BSicon fSTRc4.svg
 2 
 1 
  Ogilvie  
BSicon hKINTACCaq black.svg
BSicon KRZh black.svg
BSicon lhdSTRe@gq.svg
BSicon dSTRq black.svg
BSicon STRr+1 yellow.svg
BSicon ftSTRr+1.svg
BSicon STRr pink.svg
BSicon ftdSTRc4.svg
BSicon dSTRc4 yellow.svg
BSicon lvINTACC.svg
BSicon tdKHSTa orange.svg
BSicon tdKHSTa brown.svg
  Millennium Station   BSicon South Shore Line.svg
  Union Station  
BSicon tINTACCae black.svg
BSicon v-STR brown.svg
BSicon lvINTACC.svg
BSicon vPORTAL@g.svg
BSicon vSTR- orange.svg
Van Buren Street
  LaSalle Street  
BSicon STRc2 jade.svg
BSicon tSTR maroon.svg
BSicon STR3 jade.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon hKINTACCae red.svg
BSicon v-STR brown.svg
BSicon lvINTACC.svg
BSicon vSTR- orange.svg
Museum Campus/11th Street
 1 
 2 
Halsted Street
BSicon STRc2 jade.svg
BSicon STRc2 maroon.svg
BSicon HST3+1 jade.svg
BSicon STR3 maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon tSTR3 maroon.svg
BSicon STRc4 jade.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon vPORTAL@f.svg
BSicon mvHST-STR orange+brown.svg
18th Street
Western Avenue
BSicon HST+1 jade.svg
BSicon STR+1 maroon.svg
BSicon STRc4 jade.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon STRc4 maroon.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon tv-STR brown.svg
BSicon lvINTACC.svg
BSicon tvSTR- orange.svg
McCormick Place
Cicero
BSicon HSTACC jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon vPORTAL@g.svg
BSicon mvHST-STR orange+brown.svg
27th Street
La Vergne
BSicon HSTACC jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon mvHST-STR orange+brown.svg
47th Street (Kenwood)
Berwyn
BSicon HSTACC jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon mvHSTACC-STR orange+brown.svg
51st–53rd Street (Hyde Park)
Harlem Avenue
BSicon HSTACC jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon v-STR brown.svg
BSicon lvINTACC.svg
BSicon vSTR- orange.svg
55th–56th–57th Street
Riverside
BSicon HSTACC jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon mvHST-STR orange+brown.svg
59th Street/University of Chicago
Hollywood
BSicon HSTACC jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon v-STR brown.svg
BSicon lvINT.svg
BSicon vSTR- orange.svg
63rd Street
Brookfield
BSicon ACC jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon mvABZgl-STRo orange+brown.svg
BSicon HSTACC+r orange.svg
Stony Island
35th Street
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon INTACC red.svg
BSicon v-STR brown.svg
BSicon vSTR- orange.svg
BSicon HSTACC orange.svg
Bryn Mawr
75th Street (Grand Crossing)
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon mvHST-STR orange+brown.svg
BSicon HSTACC orange.svg
South Shore
79th Street (Chatham)
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon mveHST-STR orange+brown.svg
BSicon HSTACC orange.svg
Windsor Park
83rd Street (Avalon Park)
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon mvHST-STR orange+brown.svg
BSicon HSTACC orange.svg
Cheltenham
87th Street (Woodruff)
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon mvHST-STR orange+brown.svg
BSicon HSTACC orange.svg
83rd Street
91st Street (Chesterfield)
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon mvHST-STR orange+brown.svg
BSicon HSTACC orange.svg
87th Street
95th Street/CSU
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon LLSTRc2 denim.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon LLSTR3 denim.svg
BSicon mvHST-STR orange+brown.svg
BSicon KHSTACCe orange.svg
  South Chicago  
RI Connection (planned)
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon LLSTRc2 denim.svg
BSicon LLSTR3+1 denim.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon LLSTRc4 denim.svg
BSicon mveHST-STR orange+brown.svg
103rd Street (Rosemoor)
BSicon LOGO Amtrak2.svg Summit
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon INTACC maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon LLSTR+1 denim.svg
BSicon LLSTRc4 denim.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon mvHST-STR orange+brown.svg
107th Street
Wrightwood
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon HSTACC denim.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon mvHST-STR orange+brown.svg
111th Street (Pullman)
Ashburn
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon HSTACC denim.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon lvINTACC-.svg
BSicon v-STR2 brown.svg
BSicon vSTR- orange.svg
BSicon STRc3 brown.svg
Kensington/115th Street
Auburn Park
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon eHSTACC red.svg
BSicon STRc1 brown.svg
BSicon vSTR- orange.svg
BSicon HSTACC+4 brown.svg
BSicon BLUE-GREYgr!.svg
  Hegewisch  
Gresham
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon HST red.svg
BSicon vSTR2- orange.svg
BSicon CONT2+g brown.svg
BSicon STRc3 orange.svg
Brainerd
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon lHSTACC~L.svg
BSicon KRW+l red.svg
BSicon lHSTACC~R.svg
BSicon KRWgr red.svg
BSicon STRc12 orange.svg
BSicon ABZ4+3f orange.svg
91st Street–Beverly Hills
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon HSTACC red.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon STR+1 orange.svg
BSicon HST orange.svg
BSicon STRc4 orange.svg
Riverdale
95th Street–Beverly Hills
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon HSTACC red.svg
BSicon HSTACC red.svg
BSicon STR orange.svg
BSicon STR orange.svg
95th Street–Longwood
99th Street–Beverly Hills
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon HSTACC red.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon STR orange.svg
BSicon HSTACC orange.svg
Ivanhoe
103rd Street–Beverly Hills
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon HSTACC red.svg
BSicon HSTACC red.svg
BSicon STR orange.svg
BSicon STR orange.svg
103rd Street–Washington Heights
107th Street–Beverly Hills
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon HSTACC red.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon HST orange.svg
BSicon STR orange.svg
State Street
111th Street–Morgan Park
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon HSTACC red.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon HST orange.svg
BSicon STR orange.svg
Stewart Ridge
115th Street–Morgan Park
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon HSTACC red.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon HST orange.svg
BSicon STR orange.svg
West Pullman
119th Street
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon HSTACC red.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon HST orange.svg
BSicon STR orange.svg
Racine Avenue
123rd Street
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon HST red.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon HST orange.svg
BSicon STR orange.svg
Ashland/Calumet Park
Prairie Street
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon HST red.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon HST orange.svg
BSicon STR orange.svg
Burr Oak
Blue Island–Vermont Street
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon HUBaq.svg
BSicon INTACC-L red.svg
BSicon INTACC-R red.svg
BSicon HUB2+r.svg
BSicon KGRZ2.svg
BSicon HUBc3.svg
BSicon STR orange.svg
BSicon eHST orange.svg
147th Street (Sibley Boulevard)
  Blue Island  
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon KRWl red.svg
BSicon HUBc1.svg
BSicon KRWg+r red.svg
BSicon KINTACCe orange.svg
BSicon HUB4.svg
BSicon KGRZ4.svg
BSicon ACC orange.svg
Harvey
Robbins
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon HSTACC red.svg
BSicon HSTACC orange.svg
Hazel Crest
Midlothian
BSicon STR jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon HSTACC red.svg
BSicon HSTACC orange.svg
Calumet
 2 
 3 
Congress Park
BSicon HST jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon INTACC orange.svg
Homewood BSicon LOGO Amtrak2.svg
BSicon LOGO Amtrak2.svg La Grange Road
BSicon INTACC jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon HSTACC orange.svg
Flossmoor
Stone Avenue
BSicon HSTACC jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon HST orange.svg
Olympia Fields
Western Springs
BSicon HSTACC jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon HSTACC orange.svg
211th Street (Lincoln Highway)
Highlands
BSicon HSTACC jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon HST orange.svg
Matteson
Hinsdale
BSicon HSTACC jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon HSTACC orange.svg
Richton Park
West Hinsdale
BSicon HSTACC jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon STR denim.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
BSicon KHSTACCe orange.svg
  University Park  
Clarendon Hills
BSicon HSTACC jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon HSTACC denim.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
Oak Lawn
Westmont
BSicon HSTACC jade.svg
BSicon STR maroon.svg
BSicon HSTACC denim.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
Chicago Ridge
Fairview Avenue
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Worth
Willow Springs
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Palos Heights
Lemont
BSicon STR jade.svg
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Oak Forest
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Tinley Park
 3 
 4 
Downers Grove Main Street
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Tinley Park – 80th Avenue
Belmont
BSicon HSTACC jade.svg
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Hickory Creek
Lisle
BSicon HSTACC jade.svg
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Mokena
BSicon LOGO Amtrak2.svg Naperville
BSicon INTACC jade.svg
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BSicon HSTACC denim.svg
BSicon STR red.svg
Palos Park
Route 59
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Orland Park 143rd Street
  Aurora  
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Orland Park 153rd Street
Romeoville
BSicon HSTACC maroon.svg
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Orland Park 179th Street
Lockport
BSicon HSTACC2 maroon.svg
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New Lenox
BSicon LOGO Amtrak2.svg   Joliet  
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BSicon KINTACC1 red.svg
BSicon KHST4 maroon.svg
BSicon STRc4 red.svg
BSicon HSTACC denim.svg
Laraway Road
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  Manhattan  
 4 
Key
BNSF Line
BSicon STRq jade.svg
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Rock Island District
Heritage Corridor
BSicon STRq maroon.svg
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South Shore Line BSicon South Shore Line.svg
Metra Electric District
BSicon STRq orange.svg
BSicon STRq denim.svg
SouthWest Service
Milwaukee District North Line
BSicon STRq ochre.svg
BSicon fSTRq.svg
Union Pacific North Line
Milwaukee District West Line
BSicon STRq saffron.svg
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Union Pacific Northwest Line
North Central Service
BSicon STRq purple.svg
BSicon STRq pink.svg
Union Pacific West Line
Two lines
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BSicon exSTRq grey.svg
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Multiple lines
 Terminus 
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 Partial Terminus 
Fare zones & Connections
 1 Downtown Chicago
 2 Inner Cook County
 3 Eastern DuPage County, outer Cook County
 4  Collar counties, satellite cities

 Connections:


    Metra( reporting mark METX) is the primary commuter rail system [lower-alpha 1] in the Chicago metropolitan area serving the city of Chicago and its surrounding suburbs via the Union Pacific Railroad, BNSF Railway, and other railroads. The system operates 242 stations on 11 rail lines. [4] It is the fourth busiest commuter rail system in the United States by ridership and the largest and busiest commuter rail system outside the New York City metropolitan area. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 31,894,900, or about 152,400 per weekday as of the fourth quarter of 2023. The estimated busiest day for Metra ridership occurred on November 4, 2016—the day of the Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series victory rally. [5]

    Contents

    Metra is the descendant of numerous commuter rail services dating to the 1850s. The present system dates to 1974, when the Illinois General Assembly established the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) to consolidate all public transit operations in the Chicago area, including commuter rail. The RTA's creation was a result of the anticipated failure of commuter service operated and owned by various private railroad companies in the 1970s. In a 1983 reorganization, the RTA placed commuter rail under a newly formed Commuter Rail Division, which branded itself as Metra in 1985. Freight rail companies still operate four of Metra's routes under purchase-of-service agreements. Metra owns all rolling stock and is responsible for all stations along with the respective municipalities. [6] Since its inception, Metra has directed more than $5 billion into the commuter rail system of the Chicago metropolitan area alongside the CTA. In January 2023, Metra rolled out a new real-time train tracking website to allow passengers greater visibility into their commute. [7]

    History

    Early Chicago commuter rail

    Since its founding in the 19th century, Chicago has been a major Midwestern hub in the North American rail network. [8] It has more trackage radiating in more directions than any other city in North America. [8] Railroads set up their headquarters in the city and Chicago became a center for building freight cars, passenger cars and diesel locomotives. Early commuter services were run by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy, Chicago and North Western, and Milwaukee Road.

    By the 1930s, Chicago had the world's largest public transportation system, but commuter rail services started to decline. [9] By the mid-1970s, the commuter lines faced an uncertain future. The Burlington Northern, Milwaukee Road, Chicago and North Western and Illinois Central had been losing money for several years, and were using trainsets with passenger cars dating as far back as the 1920s. [10]

    Formation of the RTA

    RTA EMD F40PH No. 123 crossing the Fox River in Elgin, Illinois, in 1981 Elgin (289733876).jpg
    RTA EMD F40PH No. 123 crossing the Fox River in Elgin, Illinois, in 1981

    To provide stability to the commuter rail system, the Illinois General Assembly formed the Regional Transportation Authority in 1974. [11] Its purpose was to fund and plan the Chicago region's public transportation. After initially using second-hand equipment, the RTA took delivery of the first new EMD F40PH locomotives in 1976. That F40PH fleet is still in service today. [10] The companies that had long provided commuter rail in the Chicago area continued to operate their lines under contract to the RTA. [11]

    Less than a decade later the Regional Transportation Authority was already suffering from ongoing financial problems. Additionally, two rail providers, the Rock Island Line and the Milwaukee Road, went bankrupt, forcing the RTA to create the Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation to operate their lines directly in 1982. In 1983 the Illinois Legislature reorganized the agency. That reorganization left the Regional Transportation Authority in charge of day-to-day operations of all bus, heavy rail and commuter rail services throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. It was also responsible for directing fare and service levels, setting up budgets, finding sources for capital investment and planning. A new Commuter Rail Division was created to handle commuter rail operations; along with CTA and Pace, it was one of RTA's three "service boards". [11]

    Metra branding

    Metra EMD F40C No. 614 in Chicago Metra 614.jpg
    Metra EMD F40C No. 614 in Chicago

    The board of the RTA Commuter Rail Division first met in 1984. In an effort to simplify the operation of commuter rail in the Chicago area, in July 1985 it adopted a unified brand for the entire system–Metra, or Metropolitan Rail. [12] The newly reorganized Metra service helped to bring a single identity to the many infrastructure components serviced by the Regional Transportation Authority's commuter rail system. [11] However, the system is still legally known as the Commuter Rail Division of the RTA.

    Today, Metra's operating arm, the Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation, operates seven Metra owned routes. Four other routes continue to be operated by Union Pacific (formerly Chicago & North Western) and BNSF (formerly Burlington Northern) under contract to Metra. Service throughout the network is provided under the Metra name (in keeping with Metra's goal of providing a single identity for all commuter rail in the region). Metra also owns all rolling stock, controls fares and staffing levels, and is responsible for most of the stations. However, the freight carriers who operate routes under contract use their own employees and control the right-of-way for those routes. [11]

    By the first quarter of 2024, the Union Pacific Railroad is expected to transfer operations of the three Union Pacific lines to Metra. Union Pacific will continue to own and maintain the right-of-way. [13]

    Growth and expansion

    In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Metra experienced record ridership and expanded its services. In 1996, Metra organized its first new line, the North Central Service, running from Union Station to Antioch. By 2006, it added new intermediate stops to that same route, extended the Union Pacific West Line from Geneva to Elburn and extended SouthWest Service from Orland Park to Manhattan. In 2012, it boasted 95.8% average on-time performance (measured only for a train's arrivals at its last station no more than six minutes late). [14] It also posted its fourth highest volume in its history despite decreases in employment opportunities in downtown Chicago. [15]

    Metra continued to seek expansion options and to improve passenger service. Over the past three decades, Metra has invested more than $5 billion into its infrastructure. That investment has been used to purchase new rolling stock, build new stations, renovate tracks, modernize signal systems and upgrade support facilities. [11] In addition to core improvements on the Union Pacific Northwest and Union Pacific West Lines, planning advanced on two new Metra routes, SouthEast Service and the Suburban Transit Access Route ("STAR" Line). [16] In 2023, Metra announced plans to extend the Milwaukee District West Line to Rockford, Illinois, with intermediate stops at Huntley and Belvidere, by 2027. [17]

    Corruption

    Metra also has been marred by allegations and investigations of corruption. In April 2002, board member Don Udstuen resigned from both Metra and his executive job with the Illinois State Medical Society, after admitting to taking bribes to steer Metra contracts to firms associated with former legislator Roger Stanley and pleading guilty to his part in Illinois's Operation Safe Road scandal. [18]

    In April 2010, Metra's executive director, Phil Pagano, faced investigation for taking an unauthorized $56,000 bonus and was later found to have improperly received $475,000 in vacation pay. The day that the agency's board was scheduled to discuss his fate, Pagano stepped in front of a moving Metra train in an apparent suicide. [19] Around the time of Pagano's death, allegations also surfaced that a Metra employee demanded a $2,000 payoff from the studio that used Metra in the 2011 film Source Code . That employee was later relieved of his duties, and retired. [20]

    In June 2013, Metra CEO Alex Clifford abruptly resigned his position with no public comment. It was later reported that his exit had been demanded by the Metra board, which negotiated a $871,000 severance package including a non-disclosure agreement. [21] Clifford's ouster was allegedly arranged because he rejected requests for patronage hiring and promotion, including a request to promote a longtime supporter of State Representative Michael Madigan. [22] In the wake of this scandal, five board members resigned. [23] In August 2013, the remaining board members unanimously elected Don Orseno as interim CEO. (The six-member board was operating with reduced membership and thus lacked the authority to elect a permanent CEO. Orseno and Alex Wiggins shared duties as co-executive directors.) Orseno's long railroad career, beginning with work to set up trains and check doors for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad played favorably in the board's decision. [24] [25] [26] By October 2013, local officials had restored Metra's board to 11 members. [27] After reviewing four candidates, the re-constituted board formally appointed Orseno CEO of Metra in January 2014. [28] [29] In 2014, "a lengthy history of political patronage hiring at" Metra was reported, based on past files. [30]

    Underfunding

    For a long time, Metra was not being funded enough to keep most equipment and rolling stock up to date. On average, the agency received approximately $700 million a year, but Metra claims to need about $2 billion a year, which only since 2020 has been accomplished. Because of this, Metra had to cut back on new rolling stock, instead resorting to their Rebuild Programs, in which they rebuild railcars and locomotives with newer state of the art utilities. Rebuilds cost only a fraction as much as buying new rolling stock, such as with their Amerail built cars. Rebuild programs can rebuild aging cars for approximately $650,000, whereas buying that same railcar new would be approximately $3 million. [31]

    Operations

    Passengers near an inbound train at Geneva Station Geneva Metra 071020.jpg
    Passengers near an inbound train at Geneva Station

    Stations

    Metra serves passengers through stations throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. Each station, unless a route or branch terminus, provides travel toward (inbound) and away from (outbound) downtown Chicago. Therefore, a passenger can connect between the city and a suburb or between two points in the suburbs using Metra service. Although Metra's commuter rail system is designed to connect points all over the Chicago metropolitan area, it does provide some intracity connections within Chicago. [32]

    Metra trains originate from one of four stations in downtown Chicago. Six lines originate at Union Station. The three Union Pacific lines originate at Ogilvie Transportation Center, formerly and still popularly called North Western Station. The Rock Island District originates at LaSalle Street Station. The Metra Electric District originates at Millennium Station, formerly and still often called Randolph Street Terminal. All four terminals are situated within walking distance of the Chicago Loop, so Metra passengers can easily transfer to a different Metra line upon their arrival downtown. [32] Metra's urban-centric service remains popular with suburban commuters working downtown, reverse commuters, and those who visit Chicago for recreational activities and tourism. [33]

    Stations are found throughout Chicago, as well as in suburban Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties—an area largely coextensive with the inner ring of the Chicago metropolitan area. One station is located in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

    Routes

    Metra operates on 11 lines, most of which date from the mid-19th century. Four lines are operated under purchase-of-service agreements. The BNSF Line service is operated by BNSF Railway. The three lines out of the Ogilvie Transportation Center (formerly North Western Station) are operated by the Union Pacific Railroad. The other seven lines are operated by the Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Rail Corporation (NIRC), Metra's operating subsidiary; five of these primarily run over track owned by other railroads, while two (the Electric and Rock Island districts) run entirely on Metra-owned track. Inbound trains on every line at all times run through to their Chicago terminus, however, many outbound trains do not run through to their respective lines' terminus (for example, most trains on the Union Pacific Northwest Line do not run through to Harvard; instead, terminating at Crystal Lake).

    Metra Electric Highliners at 59th Street station Metra Electric train.jpg
    Metra Electric Highliners at 59th Street station

      BNSF

    The BNSF Line is Metra's busiest route. This 37.5-mile (60.4 km) route runs from Union Station to Aurora, Illinois. It had an average of 63,000 weekday passenger trips in 2018–2019. [4]

      Heritage Corridor

    Metra's least patronized line, the Heritage Corridor is a 37.2-mile (59.9 km) route, running from Union Station to Joliet, Illinois during weekday rush hours only in the peak direction. It had an average of 2,600 weekday passenger trips in 2018–2019. [4]

      Metra Electric

    The Metra Electric District is a 31.5-mile (50.7 km) electrically powered route from Millennium Station to University Park, with an additional 9.1 miles (14.6 km) of branch lines serving Blue Island (except Sundays and holidays) and South Chicago (93rd Street). The line had an average of 28,100 passenger weekday trips in 2018–2019. [4]

      Milwaukee District North

    The Milwaukee District North Line is a 49.5-mile (79.7 km) route from Union Station to Fox Lake, Illinois. The line had an average of 22,100 weekday passenger trips in 2018–2019. [4]

      Milwaukee District West

    The Milwaukee District West Line is a 39.8-mile (64.1 km) route from Union Station to Big Timber Road in Elgin, Illinois; on weekends and holidays, service terminates in downtown Elgin. The line had an average of 20,600 weekday passenger trips in 2018–2019. [4] In 2023, Metra announced plans to extend the Milwaukee District West Line to Rockford, Illinois by 2027. [34]

      North Central Service

    The North Central Service is a 52.8-mile (85.0 km) route from Union Station to Antioch, Illinois. It had an average of 5,600-weekday passenger trips in 2018–2019. [4] It does not run at all on weekends and holidays.
    Various timetables (2018-19) Metra Timetables (2019).jpg
    Various timetables (2018–19)

      Rock Island

    The Rock Island District is a 40.0-mile (64.4 km) route (not inclusive of the 6.6-mile (10.6 km) Beverly Branch) to the southwest and southern suburbs. The line has 26 stations on two branches from LaSalle Street Station to Joliet. Some trains branch off onto a local track and terminate at Blue Island. It had an average of 26,900 weekday passenger trips in 2018–2019. [4]

      SouthWest Service

    The SouthWest Service is a 40.8-mile (65.7 km) route from Union Station to Manhattan, Illinois, though most trains end at Orland Park 179th Street. It had an average of 9,600-weekday passenger trips in 2018–2019. [4] It does not run at all on Sundays and holidays, and Saturday service is currently suspended.

      Union Pacific North

    The only route that travels outside Illinois, the Union Pacific North Line is a 51.6-mile (83.0 km) route from Ogilvie Transportation Center to Kenosha, Wisconsin, with most trains ending in Waukegan, Illinois. The line had an average of 34,600 weekday passenger trips in 2018–2019. [4]

      Union Pacific Northwest

    The longest Metra route, the Union Pacific Northwest Line is a 63.2-mile (101.7 km) route from Ogilvie Transportation Center to Harvard, Illinois, with most trains ending in Crystal Lake. During weekdays except for holidays, service also includes a 7.59-mile (12.21 km) branch line from Pingree Road to McHenry. [35] The line had an average of 40,100 weekday passenger trips in 2018–2019. [4]

      Union Pacific West

    The Union Pacific West Line is a 43.6-mile (70.2 km) route running from Ogilvie Transportation Center to Elburn, Illinois. The line had an average of 27,900 weekday passenger trips in 2018–2019. [4]

    Proposed routes

    Metra proposed two routes in the early 2000s, SouthEast Service, which would connect some portions of the southern suburbs with downtown Chicago, and the Suburban Transit Access Route, which would connect various suburbs with each other without going into downtown. As of 2020, only the SouthEast Service is still being considered. [36] [37]

    In 2023, the Illinois Department of Transportation selected Metra as the agency to run restored rail service to Rockford. [38] [39]

    Pre-Metra routes

    Several commuter lines were discontinued before Metra was established. The Illinois Central West Line from present-day Millennium Station to Addison, Illinois, (closed 1931), Pennsylvania Railroad line to Valparaiso, Indiana, (closed 1935), New York Central line from LaSalle Street Station to Elkhart, Indiana, (closed 1964), and four Chicago & North Western lines to St. Charles, Aurora, Freeport, and Kenosha-Harvard (all municipalities in Illinois and Wisconsin, closed 1930–51). The Burlington Route had service between Aurora and West Chicago, Illinois (closed 1943). Chicago Eastern Illinois operated commuter service on this line out of Dearborn Station to Dolton and Momence, respectively. The Chicago and Eastern Illinois commuter line to Momence, Illinois, ended in 1935, while the Chicago and Western Indiana service to Dolton, Illinois, was discontinued in 1964. Chicago Great Western had commuter service to DeKalb, Illinois (closed 1906). Santa Fe service to Joliet, Illinois (closed 1903). However, Metra runs service to Joliet, Illinois, on two routes: Heritage Corridor and Rock Island District.

    Ridership

    Ridership has been slowly declining on all but one line since 2014, as seen below. The figures post-2020 have been drastically affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Though monthly reports from 2022 show heavy improvement over 2021 figures, they are still dramatically below pre-pandemic levels. [40]

    Annual ridership

    Annual ridership by line
    Line20142015201620172018 [41] 2019 [42] 2020 [43] 2021 [44] 2022 [45]
    BNSF Line 16,658,35716,400,29016,325,32016,235,81715,822,65215,468,0143,659,6172,483,7824,508,149
    Heritage Corridor 729,139723,803718,015727,202728,467734,098177,83882,197182,890
    Metra Electric District 9,415,9169,054,6498,642,3658,149,9777,716,1217,282,9932,019,4031,836,7233,132,516
    Milwaukee District North Line 7,237,9137,094,5646,934,6846,818,8086,610,0596,549,1431,556,7831,094,2921,905,473
    Milwaukee District West Line 6,946,2686,771,6376,621,1046,349,9636,143,9965,904,8081,480,9731,059,7421,724,436
    North Central Service 1,817,3351,758,1181,730,4941,684,3571,640,9841,589,905340,682146,668324,363
    Rock Island District 8,544,7538,305,2738,112,7847,923,5887,578,3307,338,1331,952,5471,669,2732,604,889
    SouthWest Service 2,659,0402,604,2922,538,2732,457,4182,420,9212,356,767574,815305,167556,591
    Union Pacific North Line 9,328,4419,248,8349,220,4779,030,1208,689,7768,552,1172,300,3631,954,2843,060,621
    Union Pacific Northwest Line 11,609,35811,301,75511,183,73910,910,88210,597,68010,384,3562,602,4031,962,0843,281,427
    Union Pacific West Line 8,423,1888,367,2648,375,0678,332,4838,139,3447,883,1851,945,8861,486,5362,408,426
    Total83,369,70681,630,47680,402,31978,620,61276,088,32974,043,15618,611,31114,080,74923,726,400
    Line2023 [46]
    BNSF Line 6,171,000
    Heritage Corridor 253,000
    Metra Electric District 3,888,000
    Milwaukee District North Line 2,846,000
    Milwaukee District West Line 2,307,000
    North Central Service 536,000
    Rock Island District 3,066,000
    SouthWest Service 845,000
    Union Pacific North Line 4,148,000
    Union Pacific Northwest Line 4,633,000
    Union Pacific West Line 3,293,000
    Total31,986,000
    Annual ridership by year
    YearRidership
    200886,808,870 [47]
    201081,369,000 [48]
    201281,270,253 [49]
    201483,369,706 [41]
    201581,630,476 [41]
    201680,402,319 [41]
    201778,620,612 [41]
    201876,088,329 [41]
    201974,043,516 [42]
    202018,611,311 [43]
    202114,080,749 [44]
    202223,726,400 [50]
    202331,986,000 [46]

    Weekday ridership

    Average weekday ridership by line
    Line2008 [47] July 2008–
    June 2009 [51]
    2010 [48] July 2011–
    June 2012 [49]
    July 2015–
    June 2016 [52]
    July 2016–
    June 2017 [53]
    BNSF Line 63,40063,50064,60067,40065,30063,900
    Heritage Corridor 2,8002,8002,6002,6002,4002,400
    Metra Electric District 42,80041,20036,20036,40032,80031,600
    Milwaukee District North Line 26,10026,00023,50023,10022,90022,800
    Milwaukee District West Line 22,90022,60022,30022,80022,30022,100
    North Central Service 5,7005,8005,4005,8005,8005,800
    Rock Island District 35,60033,90030,50030,70029,80028,700
    SouthWest Service 10,2009,9009,5009,7009,9009,600
    Union Pacific North Line 41,00042,00036,40035,40035,50034,700
    Union Pacific Northwest Line 43,50043,50040,90041,00040,70039,600
    Union Pacific West Line 30,90030,80029,40030,30027,20026,900
    Total325,000322,100301,200305,200294,600288,100

    Weekend ridership

    Average weekend ridership by line
    LineJuly 2011–
    June 2012 [54]
    BNSF Line 24,600
    Heritage Corridor
    Metra Electric District 14,300
    Milwaukee District North Line 9,500
    Milwaukee District West Line 9,600
    North Central Service
    Rock Island District 6,800
    SouthWest Service 400
    Union Pacific North Line 17,300
    Union Pacific Northwest Line 19,500
    Union Pacific West Line 14,100
    Total116,100
    Average weekend ridership
    PeriodAvg. weekend ridership
    2008 [47] 120,700
    July 2008–
    June 2009 [51]
    124,600
    2010 [48] 121,800
    July 2011–
    June 2012 [49]
    116,100
    July 2015–
    June 2016 [52]
    108,300
    July 2016–
    June 2017 [53]
    105,900

    Connections

    Transportation in Chicago consists of a public transportation infrastructure allowing for intermodal connections to local, regional, national and international transportation services. Parking lots are available adjacent to most suburban Metra stations for passengers connecting with their train by car. Most parking lots are operated by the municipality they are located in. Fees and fines are also assessed by the local municipality; however, parking is usually free on weekends and most holidays. [55] Mass transit CTA and suburban Pace buses connect with many Metra stations downtown and in the suburbs. Monthly pass holders are offered link-up options with these services. [56] In addition, many intercity bus lines connect with passengers outside of Union Station. [57]

    The Chicago "L" also has transfers with Metra at some Chicago stations. Most 'L' lines traverse the Loop allowing nearby access to all downtown Metra terminals. There are also transfer points between Metra and the 'L' outside of the Loop, such as transfers from the Union Pacific Northwest Line to the Blue Line at Irving Park and Jefferson Park Transit Center; and from the Union Pacific West Line to the Green Line at Oak Park. [58] 'L' trains announce downtown Metra connections on board when announcing the next 'L' stop.

    Union Station doubles as both a Metra station and Amtrak's station in Chicago. [59] In addition to Illinois Service and Hiawatha Service, Amtrak trains run nationwide including service to states spanning both coastlines. [60] Passengers connecting from Ogilvie Transportation Center can access Union Station through its north platforms on the opposite side of Madison Street, [59] with Millennium and LaSalle stations also within a short walking distance of Union Station as well. A number of suburban Metra stations are also shared with Amtrak as well.

    The South Shore Line, an interurban line connecting Chicago with the Indiana suburbs and South Bend, originates at Millennium Station and operates along much of the Chicago portion of the Electric District line, as far south as 63rd Street. Per a longstanding noncompete agreement, eastbound South Shore trains only stop at shared Electric District stations to board passengers, and westbound South Shore trains only stop to discharge passengers.

    Positive train control

    In regards to the PTC mandate that passed Congress, Metra took steps to meet the deadline. Metra concluded that the December 31, 2015 mandate to have PTC running was an unreasonable requirement. This aligned with the stance taken by much of the railroad industry. [61] This is due to a variety of factors including but not limited to: delays from the government, and the fundamental complexity of building a program from the ground up. Moreover, Metra estimates the cost of implementing the system on their 1,100 miles (1,800 km) of track in the Chicago region to be over $200 million. [62] The fear is this unfunded mandate will divert scarce capital funds from other essential needs. This includes building and maintaining existing tracks, stations, signals, and other equipment that ensures a safe operating environment for all of Metra's passengers. However, Metra recognizes the need for PTC but needed a more reasonable timeline to implement such a program. This recognition is partially based on Metra's previous accident history. Two noteworthy events were a pair of accidents on the Rock Island District within a span of a couple of years. The first event was a derailment that occurred on October 12, 2003, when a train flew through a 10 mph crossing at 68 mph. A second very similar occurrence happened on September 17, 2005, but was more serious. The latter derailment killed two passengers and injured 117. [62] Both of these incidents could have been prevented if PTC were in place. In both circumstances, PTC would have overridden the engineer and slowed the train down to the appropriate speed to prevent an accident from occurring.

    Recently, Metra has taken significant steps in the process to fully implementing PTC. On April 22, 2015, the Metra board approved an $80 million contract to Parsons Transportation Group. [63] Parsons was the sole bidder and speaks to the complexities of the project. They will be in charge of incorporating various devices from GPS, radio, to trackside antennas into one cohesive system. The group has some experience in this sector previously as Parsons worked with the southern California commuter rail agency Metrolink to install their system.

    By the year 2020, Metra completed installation of the Positive Train Control. This came at a capital cost of $400 million and an annual operating cost of $20 million. Metra's PTC system works with the trains of 12 other railroad companies. [64]

    Fare system and ticketing

    Entrance to a Metra bilevel rail car Metra bilevel entrance.jpg
    Entrance to a Metra bilevel rail car

    Fare is determined by the distance traveled by a passenger. Each station along every route has generally been placed in a specific zone based on its distance from its respective downtown station. Multiple stations can be placed in the same zone even though they are on the same line.

    Historically, the downtown terminals and stations in the vicinity of downtown were classified as zone 'A' and each additional zone represented an added 5 miles (8.0 km) from the downtown terminus. [56] There were originally twelve fare zones: zones A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, and M (zone L would not have any stations). Zones K and M were merged into zone J on July 15, 2018, reducing the number of zones to ten. [65] [66]

    On February 1, 2024, Metra reduced the number of fare zones from 10 to 4 and labeled each of the four zones by number instead of letter. This was proposed in an effort to simplify its fare structure. In addition, trips not entering or exiting the downtown area (zone 1) are subjected to a flat $3.75 fee. [67] [68] [69]

    Tickets

    Several ticketing options exist for passengers. Riders may choose to purchase one-way tickets, day passes, day pass five-packs, weekend passes, or monthly passes. [70]

    Reduced fare programs

    Metra allows some travelers to purchase reduced fare tickets or even ride for free. These reduced fare and free ride programs are administered by Metra and the RTA. Some pre-college students, youth, senior citizens, members of the United States Armed Forces and persons with disabilities may qualify for these programs. Time-based and geographical restrictions apply to these programs and passengers must ensure they qualify before attempting to purchase special tickets or ride for free. [56] Cook County launched The Fair Transit pilot on January 4, 2021, scheduled to initially last for three years. Under the pilot, all riders on the Metra Electric and Rock Island lines will pay Metra's reduced fare rates.

    On the Union Pacific North Line, passengers headed to an event at Ravinia Park may ride to the event for free after showing their Ravinia Festival e-ticket to the conductor.

    Safety and security

    Metra F40PH locomotives at the Waukegan Station Metra Trains at Waukeegan.jpg
    Metra F40PH locomotives at the Waukegan Station
    A Nippon Sharyo gallery car, built in the early 2000s Aurora (Metra)-6.JPG
    A Nippon Sharyo gallery car, built in the early 2000s

    Metra employees, the Metra Police Department and other public safety agencies are responsible for maintaining safety and security on its lines, aboard its trains and at stations all to various degrees. Although rail transport is one of the safest forms of land travel, [72] compromises to Metra's safety and security can occur through pedestrian accidents, suicide attempts, vehicle collisions, derailment, terrorism and other incidents. Failing to maintain safety and security can result in equipment and infrastructure damage, extensive service disruptions, traumatic injuries and loss of life. Therefore, Metra and other agencies consider safety a top priority and dedicate a significant amount of resources to combat these dangers. [73]

    Starting in the early summer of 2013, Metra has announced plans to up police patrols on to the seven lines the agency operates: the Milwaukee Districts North and West, the North Central Service, the Heritage Corridor, South West Service, Rock Island, and Electric District. The police patrols will not be on the BNSF and Union Pacific train lines because those lines are operated by the railroads that own them and security falls to those companies. When asked why there were increasing patrols spokesman Michael Gillis said, "There is no particular reason, other than the fact that we want to be more proactive and more deliberately visible to our riders". [74]

    Law enforcement

    The Metra Police Department is a special law enforcement agency charged with providing police services to passengers, employees, equipment and property. The department has more than 100 police officers and is responsible for the safety of all routes and stations. [75] In an effort to help coordinate emergency preparedness and incident management, all Metra police officers are certified in the National Incident Management System. [76] In addition, Metra police works with the Chicago Police Department as a member of the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy. [75] Thomas A. Cook was the only Metra police officer that has been killed in the line of duty thus far. [77]

    Rail safety

    The focus on rail safety by Metra comes from many fronts beyond operations including emergency preparedness and public awareness. [76] The setup of railway platforms, use of grade crossing signals and horn blasts make up a critical system used to communicate movements of commuter trains to pedestrians and vehicles. Outside of these operational components, Metra aggressively pursues safety through public awareness. Metra utilizes its own Operation Lifesaver program and uses it to help spread safety messages. Metra also holds events promoting rail safety at schools and organizes a safety poster contest awarding winners with prizes and features their posters on monthly passes and at stations. [73]

    Metra has been honored with several E. H. Harriman Awards for employee safety, most recently with a Bronze award in class B (line-haul railroads with between 4 and 15 million employee hours per year) for 2005. Previous Harriman Awards conferred to Metra include Gold awards for 2003 and 2004 and a Silver award for 2002. [78]

    Metra expects to implement positive train control on its entire system in 2019, four years after the federally mandated 2015 deadline. [79]

    Incidents

    Metra related fatalities: The bar graph above shows the number of non-employee, Metra related deaths (listed vertically). This graph uses data from the previous decade and is organized by year (horizontally). MetraFatalities20012010.png
    Metra related fatalities: The bar graph above shows the number of non-employee, Metra related deaths (listed vertically). This graph uses data from the previous decade and is organized by year (horizontally).

    There were 156 non-employee fatalities involving Metra equipment and Metra owned track between 2001 and 2010. [80] On average 15 people were killed annually based on data from that decade. The highest number of fatalities in a year throughout that time occurred in 2002, with 23 deaths and in 2010, with 21 deaths. The majority of these fatalities occurred at grade crossings and on railway involving an impact with a train; only four deaths involved passengers aboard the train. [80]

    The worst commuter rail disaster in Illinois occurred before the formation of Regional Transportation Authority. The 1972 Chicago commuter rail crash consisted of a two train collision on the Metra Electric, then under the control of the Illinois Central. The collision resulted in 45 deaths and 332 injuries. [81] Two decades later, Metra experienced its first rail disaster, the 1995 Fox River Grove bus–train collision. [82] This accident involved a collision of a Union Pacific Northwest Line train and a school bus at a grade crossing resulting in 21 injuries and the deaths of seven high school students. [82] In 2003, another incident involved a Rock Island District train derailing while switching from one track to another, injuring 45 passengers. In 2005, a train carrying 200 passengers along the same stretch of track derailed and then collided with a steel bridge resulting in two deaths and 117 injured. The cause of both accidents was ruled to be human error; the trains were going at speeds in excess of 68 miles per hour (109 km/h) when they should have been going 10 miles per hour (16 km/h). [83] [84]

    On May 11, 2022, Metra train #1242 collided with a box truck at Clarendon Hills on the Metra BNSF Line, resulting in four injuries, and one death. The passenger who was killed, a 72-year-old woman from Downers Grove, was ejected from a window of the train during the collision. [85] This incident, as of May 2022, is the second incident in Metra's history that resulted in a passenger fatality.

    In addition to the loss of life, injuries, damage and service disruptions caused by accidents, Metra and other transportation agencies have been involved in multimillion-dollar lawsuits and settlements stemming from safety failures. [86] [87] These failures have also resulted in updated safety policies and adjustments of equipment and warning devices. [82]

    Rolling stock

    Current locomotives

    All of Metra's locomotives are diesel-electric locomotives. The bulk of its locomotive fleet consists of F40PH locomotives. The Electric District uses electric multiple units.

    BuilderModelRoad NumbersYear BuiltRoutes AssignedNotesImage
    EMD SW1 21946Switch service, work trainsOriginally owned by the Illinois Central Railroad, later sold to the Rock Island Railroad. [88]
    SW1200 31954Originally Milwaukee Road Metra Yard Locomotive Chicago (5994607072).jpg
    SW1500 4–6, 8–91967–68, 1971–72Originally Southern Pacific Metra4sw1500.jpg
    GP23ECO 10–111969, 1966Two GP23ECOs from Progress Rail. [89] Both built as GP40s.
    F59PHI 73–931998Milwaukee District, North Central Service, Heritage Corridor, Union Pacific LinesLocomotive 90 painted in Chicago & North Western heritage livery. [90]
    Ex- Amtrak Cascades and Pacific Surfliner 450-470, entering service in October 2018.
    Metra 91 at Union Station, March 2019.jpg
    F59PH 94–99 [91] [92] 1988Milwaukee District, North Central Service, Heritage Corridor97–99 ex-AMT. Brought into service in 2015.
    F40PH-3 100–149, 173–184, 215–2171977, 1979–81, 1983, 1988–89All Diesel Routes100-149 rebuilt to -3 specifications between 2008 and 2012. [93] 100 repainted into RTA wrap from September 14, 2017-mid 2018.
    104 given a paint scheme honoring the City of Chicago, revealed on May 4, 2022.
    174-184 rebuilt to -3 specifications between 2016 and 2017. 173 rebuilt to -3 specifications in 2018 to replace the wrecked F40PHM-2 205.
    215-216 sold to Metra in 2009 by the TCRM and refurbished by Progress Rail before service. 215 suffered a major fire on December 3, 2018, and has not returned to service since. [94]
    2 Metra Rebuilds (45117180182).jpg
    F40PH-2 150-151, 154, 156-159, 161-1671983Union Pacific LinesRetirement in progress, to be replaced by SD70MACHs Commuter Train (6609894319).jpg
    F40PHM-3 185–204, 206–2141991–1992BNSF, Rock Island, SouthWest ServiceRebuilt to -3 specifications from F40PHM-2 between 2016 and 2020. When built as F40PHM-2s, they were the last F40PH series locomotives built by EMD. 194 was the first F40PHM-2 to be rebuilt and repainted.
    210 suffered a fire on June 13, 2019. It returned to service in December, 2020. Locomotive 211 painted in Chicago Burlington & Quincy scheme.
    Metra train at Naperville Illinois locomotive 194.jpg
    MPI MP36PH-3C 401–4272003–2004Rock Island, Milwaukee District, North Central ServiceConverted from MP36PH-3S beginning in 2015 with 417.

    Locomotive 402 painted into State of Illinois livery. Locomotive 405 painted into Milwaukee Road Heritage scheme, with Richard F. Oppenheim naming. Locomotive 425 painted into Rock Island Heritage scheme, with Don Orseno naming.

    METX 413.jpg
    EMD SD70MACH 500-5231992–2004 (as originally built)Milwaukee District, North Central ServiceUsed SD70MAC locomotives converted for Metra service. 24 to be/being rebuilt as of 3/25/24, (with options for more), replacing F40PH-2 (150-172) and some F40PH-3 (100–149 and 215-216, except locomotive 104's City of Chicago paint scheme). [95] The first locomotive was delivered in October 2022 [96] and painted in an RTA heritage scheme. New locomotives will be delivered approximately once per month throughout 2022 and 2023. [97] The first locomotives entered service in late 2023. [98]
    F40C 611, 6141974Milwaukee District611 and 614 were retired in 2003 and 2004. In January 2005, they were brought back into service while several then-new MP36PH-3S locomotives were out of service with software issues. Due to the F40PH rebuild program, they were returned to service in April 2009 and remained in service until mid-2012. 611 and 614 remain in the Western Avenue yard. METX 611 at Canal Street (4925826994).jpg

    Retired locomotives

    BuilderModelRoad NumbersYear
    Built
    Routes AssignedNotes
    EMD F7 305, 3081949All Diesel RoutesDonated to the Illinois Railway Museum. 305 has been restored as Chicago and North Western 411, while 308 is still painted in Metra colors.
    E8 507–510, 512–5221950–53CNW Routes508, 516, and 518 sold to IPH.

    515 is now owned by the Illinois Railway Museum as of December 2021.

    522 is owned by LWV and was renumbered 101.

    519 is privately owned, numbered MREX 97. Currently located at the Arizona Railway Museum in Chandler, Arizona. [99] [100]

    E9 5111955Owned by UP and cosmetically restored to original number of UP 949.
    F40C 600–610, 612–6131974Milwaukee DistrictAll scrapped.
    SW1500 71968Switch service, work trainsSold to NRE in Dixmoor, Illinois in 2015 due to an internal engine failure, and was scrapped due to site's closure in 2020.
    SW1 11938Originally owned by the Illinois Central Railroad, later sold to the Rock Island Railroad. #1 was modified with MU Car couplers and was the oldest operating locomotive in the U.S. that is not preserved. It was used to transfer cars from Metra Electric at Blue Island to the Blue Island wheelhouse to maintain a proper wheel profile on Metra Electric MU cars. Retired & auctioned off in June 2021 due to an internal engine failure. [101]
    F40PHM-2 2051992BNSF, RI, Southwest ServiceNumber 205 was wrecked in a CSX Derailment on March 8, 2018, while en route for refurbishment. [102] It was scrapped on site.
    F40PH-2 152-153, 155, 160, 168–1721983Union Pacific LinesStored in Antioch Coach Yard awaiting final deposition. All being scrapped, used for parts.

    Coaches

    NumbersTypeHeritageYear BuiltQuantityBuilderDisposition
    700–787
    790–795
    Coach
    Coach/Cab
    Burlington Route 1950–65
    1965
    94 Budd Operating, rebuilt in 1973
    700–740, 752, 781, 790–795 sold to MItrain in Michigan, later acquired by WeGo Star in Tennessee
    796–815
    816–820
    7100–7121
    Coach/Cab
    Coach
    Coach
    Burlington Northern 1973
    1973
    1977–78
    47Operating
    6001–6194CoachMetra2002–05194 Nippon Sharyo
    7200–7382 Milwaukee Road 1961–80183Budd
    7400–7497Metra1996–9898AmerailOperating, rebuilt in 2012
    8200–8238Coach/CabMilwaukee Road1961–7439BuddOperating
    8239–8275 RTA 1978–8037Operating–Some have been converted to coaches.
    8400–8478Metra1994–9879 Morrison-Knudsen/AmerailOperating–Mainly assigned to the UP lines.
    8501–86082002–05108Nippon SharyoOperating
    TBDTBDTBD Alstom On order. Alstom Coradia bilevel coaches. Initial order includes 200 cars, with an option for 300 more. [103] [104]
    7700–7866CoachChicago and North Western1960–70167PullmanOperating–Five have been purchased back due to money problems.
    7600–7613195514 St. Louis Retired. Two preserved at the Illinois Railway Museum
    7650–7681195632 Pullman Retired. One preserved at the Illinois Railway Museum
    7867–7871 Rock Island 19705Pullman7868 now a bike car. Rest retired
    7880Coach (former Parlor) Chicago and North Western 19581PullmanRetired
    7881–7885Coach Rock Island 19705
    7900–7901Club Car Chicago and North Western 19552St. Louis
    8700–8763Coach/Cab1960–6864PullmanRetired–One preserved at the Illinois Railway Museum

    8749 is a bicycle car.

    Private club coaches

    NumbersTypeHeritageYear BuiltBuilderDisposition
    553 Private railroad car Chicago and North Western 1949 ACF In storage
    555Retired

    Electric multiple units

    Metra's electric units, except for the future battery electric multiple units, are also known as Highliners.

    NumbersModelTypeHeritageYear BuiltBuilderStatus
    1201–1226 Highliner [105] MU Coach Metra2005 Nippon Sharyo Operating
    1227–1238 Highliner II [106] 2012
    1239–12792013
    1280–13862014–2016
    1501–1630 Highliner Illinois Central 1971–1972 St. Louis Retired
    1631–16661978–1979 Bombardier
    TBD FLIRT Akku Battery electric multiple unit Metra2024- Stadler On order. 16 trainsets [107] [108] [109] [110]

    Notes

    1. Northern Indiana commuters are served by the South Shore Line under a different public authority.

    See also

    Related Research Articles

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">South Shore Line</span> Rail line in Indiana and Illinois, United States

    The South Shore Line is an electrically powered interurban commuter rail line operated by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) between Millennium Station in downtown Chicago and the South Bend International Airport in South Bend, Indiana, United States. The name refers to both the physical line and the service operated over that route. The line was built in 1901–1908 by predecessors of the Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad, which continues to operate freight service. Passenger operation was assumed by the NICTD in 1989. The South Shore Line is one of the last surviving interurban trains in the United States. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 1,406,900, or about 5,000 per weekday as of the fourth quarter of 2023.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Union Pacific North Line</span> Commuter rail line in Wisconsin and Illinois

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    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Union Pacific Northwest Line</span> Commuter rail line in Chicago, Illinois, US

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    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Milwaukee District North Line</span> Commuter rail service in Illinois

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    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Milwaukee District West Line</span> Commuter rail line in Illinois

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    Further reading

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