What is Metra?
Metra operates the commuter rail system in the Chicago metropolitan area.
- Diesel trains connect areas as far away as Kenosha, Joliet, Aurora and Elgin with downtown Chicago. These are equipped with wheelchair lifts and other accommodations for passengers with disabilities.
- Electric trains, which operate between Chicago and University Park and Northern Indiana, use ramps to allow passengers with mobility limitations to board and alight.
Metra currently has 163 stations that are fully accessible, meeting or exceeding the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 standards. These stations represent 94% of Metra's customer base. In addition, other stations are functionally accessible which means they are usable by most people with disabilities.
Continual efforts are being made to create accessible stations. Currently, over 70% of all stations are accessible.
What is P-8?
Under the Americans with Disabilities act of 1990, commuter rail systems are not required to operate complimentary paratransit systems. Accordingly, Metra does not operate such a system. However, Metra does provide what is called P-8 service (short for paragraph 8 of the Jones II consent Decree).
P-8 is a shuttle service from a qualified origin to the next accessible station. Metra does this at no additional charge to the passenger and does not require certification of disability status. Reservations may be made any time the day before the ride is needed or with as little as three hours notice when necessary.
If someone who ordinarily rides from a non-accessible station were to break a leg, for example, he or she could use the service during recuperation without going through a formal certification process.
P-8 connections are guaranteed - that is, if you miss the train because the ride is late, and another train is not available right away, the driver will take you to your destination station. In the unusual event the train is late, the driver will wait until it arrives.
What are the Rules for P-8?
There are some rules governing the use of P-8 service. To qualify for the service:
- The origin or destination must be within ½ mile of a non-accessible Metra station. This is called the qualifying station.
- Travel is allowed only to or from the next accessible station on the same line.
- If an accessible bus or train operates within ½ mile of the qualifying station to or from the next accessible Metra station, the trip is not eligible.
P-8 service exists temporarily and only to provide transportation for persons with disabilities to the next accessible station. It is not a paratransit service. Those who need paratransit should contact the RTA at (312) 917-HELP.
As Metra stations, Pace and CTA busses, and CTA stations become accessible, fewer P-8 trips will be eligible.
Please see below for examples at the time of writing. For the most current information, please contact Metra Passenger Services or refer back to this page. P-8 service is provided by a private company, SCR Transportation. For service, contact SCR at (800) 868-5401.
Examples of Eligible and Non-Eligible Trips
- Most trips within the city of Chicago are not eligible since all of Chicago is within ½ mile of an accessible bus line most of the time. There are, however, very limited exceptions.
- For example, because the accessible (#1 Indiana) bus does not operate weekday evenings after the rush hour, or on weekends, P-8 service is eligible on parts of the South Shore rail line to the McCormick Place Station during those periods.
- Trips from Main Street Station in Evanston to Rogers Park Station are eligible because CTA busses do not go to Metra's Roger Park Station. Trips to Central Street Station from Main Street Station are eligible only between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. since a CTA bus operates during the day.
- Trips from Oak Park Station are not eligible since CTA's Green Line runs downtown.
