Welcome to Metra, the North Eastern Illinois commuter rail system. This Rider’s Guide informs customers with disabilities about the accessible features of Metra’s train system. Our goal is to make Metra the most accessible commuter rail system in the nation. At Metra, every customer is important. We recognize there are many individuals with disabilities who may require accessible facilities in order to take advantage of the Metra system. Select stations have been modified to provide improved amenities, signage and pathways. Every Metra diesel train is equipped with at least one ADA car with a wheelchair lift. On the Metra Electric, all cars are accessible. NOTE: ALL Metra accessible cars can accommodate common wheelchairs. IMPORTANT: A common wheelchair as defined in the ADA is one that does not exceed 30 inches in width and 48 inches in length (when measured 2 inches from the ground) and does not exceed 600 pounds when occupied. Persons with larger mobility devices may not be able to board the Metra System. In addition to providing safe, dependable and convenient train service, Metra personnel continue to be trained to understand the barriers a customer with a disability may encounter at a station, or on the train, and can provide the necessary assistance for a stress-free trip. Accompanying this Rider’s Guide is a large print sector map of the entire Metra System. Each sector includes the area’s rail lines and stations along the lines. The station names are color coded to identify accessible, partially accessible, and inaccessible stations. Included is a description of the area that each train line serves. ACCESSIBLE STATIONS Metra’s commuter train lines serve six counties in Northeastern Illinois. All lines feed into one of five downtown Chicago terminals. The main downtown diesel terminals: Chicago Union Station, LaSalle Street Station, and Ogilvie Transportation Center are all fully accessible. The main downtown electric terminals are Randolph Street Station and Van Buren Street Station. Van Buren Street Station has one main access, which is located on Jackson Boulevard that fully meets ADA requirements. Randolph Street Station has two main accesses; South Water Street (located in the 225 N. Michigan Ave. building) which fully meets ADA requirements and the Randolph Street access (located at Michigan Ave. & Randolph St.) which may be accessible to some indviduals, but due to the steepness of the ramps and the lack of access to all train platforms, it only partially meets ADA requirements. On each of Metra’s train lines, many stations are fully accessible and meet all ADA regulations. Fully accessible stations have accessible parking (where parking is available), ramps and/or elevators, improved signage and bright yellow tactile strips at platforms. In addition, some partially accessible train stations may be fully accessible. The designation partially accessible, means that the station meets some, but not all, of the ADA requirements. Customers who use mobility devices at partially accessible stations will be able to access train platforms from the street. However, ramps, ticket counters, and/or buildings and shelters may not fully conform to ADA guidelines. These stations are designated as partially accessible so as not to deter customers from using facilities, which may be useable to them. At present, over 70% of Metra’s 230 stations are either fully or partially accessible. These stations represent over 92% of Metra’s system wide boardings. With the passage of every year, more stations are adapted and reconfigured to meet ADA standards. Customers may refer to the System Map for Customers with Disabilities, the Station Fact Sheets and/or call Metra’s Passenger Services Department at (312) 322-6777. STATIONS FACT SHEETS Detailed Fact Sheets are available for all stations along Metra’s rail lines, including downtown stations, providing the following information: • Station Address and Location • Station and Ticket Sales Clerk Hours and Amenities • Layout of the Station • Accessible Parking Information • Available Ramps and/or Elevators • Suggested Access Routes to the Platform • Connecting Public Transit Information • Ticket Purchasing Information • Important Telephone Numbers In addition, fully accessible stations have a visual public address system to provide service messages for customers who are hearing impaired. To assist passengers who are blind or visually impaired, all downtown terminals have audible track announcements and will soon have audible departure information. Detailed Fact Sheets are available by calling Metra’s Passenger Services Department at (312) 322­6777 or check at Metra’s Web site at www.metrarail.com under the stations section. BEFORE THE RIDE The train schedule for each rail line provides a complete listing of all train arrival and departure times at each station. To read a train schedule, first locate at the top of the page in colored block, the appropriate direction and the day of the week that you plan to travel. Next, identify the boarding station and follow across to the right to determine the departure time of trains at that station. Select the train time that best meets your personal needs and move down that column to identify the arrival time at your destination station. Also, these schedules indicate which stations are accessible. You can find this information to the left of the station listing in the column with the ADA access symbol. Train schedules are available at stations with ticket sales clerks, by calling Metra’s Passenger Services Department or by visiting www.metrarail.com AT THE STATION Accessible parking spaces with appropriate curb cuts are provided for convenient access at all fully accessible stations, which have parking available. Each fully accessible station has clearly identified barrier-free paths of travel, via ramps or elevators, to and through the station. Restrooms, where available at stations, are also accessible. Information about accessible parking and station layout is available by calling Metra’s Passenger Services Department. PURCHASING TICKETS Metra offers a wide variety of ticket types to serve your traveling needs, including Monthly, 10-Ride, One-Way and Weekend tickets. Your selection of ticket type depends on how you plan to travel on Metra. With most of Metra’s ticket options, special reduced fares are available to eligible customers who are part of the RTA Reduced Fare Program. An attendant who accompanies a customer with an RTA Reduced Fare Card, ADA Paratransit, (distinguished with a red P preceding the card number) may ride on a reduced fare One-Way ticket.) There are several ways to purchase Metra train tickets: • TICKET BY MAIL OR INTERNET The Monthly Pass and 10-Ride ticket (full fare and reduced) can both be received through the mail. Once an application form is completed, Monthly tickets are sent automatically before the first of every month. Payment is due by the tenth of the month, with flexibility to cancel and resume delivery of your ticket each month. 10-Ride tickets can be purchased through order forms available at downtown stations. Call Metra Passenger Services for a Ticket By Mail (TBM) or 10­Ride By Mail application. The application for the monthly TBM program is also available on Metra’s Web site. You may also order Monthly and 10-Ride tickets through Metra’s Web site, once a personal identification number has been set up, payment will be automatically deducted from your checking account. The Web site is fully accessible to customers who use screen-reading software. • BY TICKET SALES CLERK All ticket types can be purchased at stations where a sales clerk is on duty. Consult your train schedule under Station Information to determine if a sales clerk is available at your boarding station. Sales clerk hours vary at each non-downtown station. If the ticket agent office is closed, you may purchase a One-Way ticket on the train. • METRA ELECTRIC SERVICE Multiride tickets are only available through vending machines at outlying stations, with the exception of 57th Street Station, which is staffed with a ticket sales clerk. Since the machines only sell full-fare tickets, RTA Reduced Fare Cardholders purchasing multiride tickets can receive a rate adjustment at the downtown ticket window. Passengers who purchase a One-Way ticket from a conductor on the train will be charged an additional $2 if their originating station had an operating vending machine (the purchase of the Weekend Pass is the exception). • METRA DIESEL SERVICE One-Way tickets, (both full fare and reduced) can be purchased on the train. However, if a ticket sales clerk is on duty at your time of boarding a service fee of $2.00 will be charged for purchasing a ticket on the train. The Weekend Pass can be purchased on the train with no additional service fee. ACCESSING THE PLATFORM Stairways, as well as designated ramps or elevators, are clearly marked and lead to the station platform. For the safety of all Metra customers, platforms are edged with special textured bright yellow tiles. All service animals are permitted on the Metra system and are welcome on any car. At crosswalks, gap fillers have been added next to outside rails to make it easier for passengers to cross the tracks. However, a gap still exists on the inside rails to allow the train’s wheels to pass. Customers using wheelchairs, walkers or crutches should be alert to this inherent danger when crossing the tracks at crosswalks. If you have any questions about your station you should call Metra Passenger Services Department. BOARDING THE TRAIN Metra Electric Service is unique in that most of the stations do not have ticket sales clerks. Passengers who need information can use the blue Passenger Assistance Link (PAL) telephone. PAL telephones are located in the entrance of all stations. After picking up the telephone, passengers will be connected with the first available agent. Passengers who are deaf or with hearing impairments can pick up the TTY at the PAL telephone. Metra Electric trains are all accessible to passengers using a mobility device. Since the train doors are at the same level as the platform, the conductor will deploy a bridge plate that connects the small gap between the platform and the train car. The bridge plate may also be necessary for passengers who use a mobility aid with narrow wheels or casters that could lodge between the platform and the train car. The conductor can use the bridge plate on any car on the Metra Electric Line. Once on a Metra Electric Line car, there are two seating areas per car reserved for mobility devices. Areas for mobility devices are located closest to the vestibule and are accessed by lifting the fold-down seats. Metra Diesel Line Service has at least one lift-equipped train car per train, and is identified by the access symbol. For the convenience of customers who are mobility limited, non-down-town platforms have accessible boarding areas where the lift-equipped train car will stop for boarding. When boarding at a downtown station, the conductor on the platform can advise which car is lift-equipped. Customers desiring to use the lift should place themselves at least five feet from the edge of the platform to allow for the full extension of the lift. The conductor will lower the lift and advise when it is safe to board. After a customer is positioned on the lift, (chair wheel should be locked, if applicable), the conductor will activate the lift, raising it from the station platform. Handrails on the lift will provide stability for users, and a moveable plate will prevent the wheelchair from rolling off. Lift operation takes about 60 seconds and a warning tone sounds before operation begins. In the unlikely event the lift’s electric system should fail, the lift platform can be operated manually. Vestibules on lift-equipped cars are more spacious and have safety bars to keep wheelchairs away from steps. Doorways from the vestibule to the passenger compartment are wider and power-operated with upper and lower push plates. Either one activates the door. Metra diesel trains have priority seating just inside the train car near the vestibule. Each lift-equipped car has three wheelchair areas for riders who prefer to remain in their chair. Customers can also transfer to a standard seat, if desired. Fold-down seats are also provided, allowing anyone traveling with a mobility device user to sit close by. An accessible restroom is adjacent to the wheelchair seating area. RIDING THE TRAIN Metra is known for its comfort and on-time dependability, so customers are invited to sit back, work or relax. Metra tickets, as well as the RTA Reduced Fare Card, should be displayed for the conductor. If riding on a One-Way or 10-Ride ticket, the conductor will punch the ticket. Conductors travel through the train periodically. If assistance is needed on board the train, please let your conductor know. ARRIVING AT YOUR DESTINATION Audio announcements alert passengers to the next station stop. As the train arrives at each station, platform signs can aid in visual identification. Customers who are hearing impaired are encouraged to notify a conductor of their stop, either when boarding or during ticket collection. Persons who use mobility devices should inform the conductor of their destination station so that exiting the train via the lift and/or bridge plate can be accomplished smoothly and quickly. The train will not move until all doors are closed and the conductor approves passenger clearance. To exit the train, customers should position themselves on the lift, with chair wheels locked (if necessary). The conductor will lower the lift. When departing from a Metra Electric train, the passenger should wait for the conductor to deploy the bridge plate (if necessary). Customers can access the station through identified pathways.