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New schedules for expanded, extended service out today
Chicago, January, 6, 2006 - New schedules with revised times for train service along the expanded and extended Union Pacific West Line, North Central Service line, SouthWest Service line and the Milwaukee District West line are available here. Paper copies of the schedules on all will be distributed to commuters at downtown stations during Monday's evening rush.
The new schedules go into effect Jan. 23 along the Union Pacific West Line and Jan. 30 along the SouthWest Service, North Central Service and Milwaukee District West lines.
UNION PACIFIC WEST LINE (effective Jan. 23)
Along the UP-West, an updated schedule is needed to incorporate new stops in La Fox and Elburn. The total number of trains running between Elburn, the line's new terminus, and downtown Chicago's Ogilvie Transportation Center remains unchanged. During weekday rush hours, service to previously existing stations remains largely unchanged. Several inbound off-peak trains have been moved 15 or 20 minutes to accommodate for increased travel times getting to the new stations west of Geneva.
SOUTHWEST SERVICE (effective Jan. 30)
On the SouthWest Service line, the revised schedule makes room for a new station in Manhattan and allows for an increase in the total number of weekday trains to 30 from 16 running between Manhattan and Chicago Union Station. Two morning rush hour trains will depart daily from Manhattan. During the evening rush, two outbound trains will carry passengers to Manhattan, the line's new terminus. The new schedule includes eight inbound morning trains, not including the train that departs Orland Park at 11:58 a.m. Also, the new schedule adds options to the evening rush and inserts two late trains departing Chicago at 9:50 and 11:40 p.m.
NORTH CENTRAL SERVICE (effective Jan. 30)
On the North Central Service line, schedule changes bring in four new stations, at Grayslake, Rosemont, Schiller Park and Franklin Park. Additionally, the revisions boost the number of trains running between Antioch, the line's terminus, and Chicago Union Station to 20, double the number under the old schedule. The reconfigured timetable adds two outbound trains at the tail end of the evening rush, leaving Chicago at 7 and 8:30 p.m. Trains also have been added to rush hours to give commuters more flexibility in both directions.
Because the North Central Service shares part of its route with the Milwaukee District West Line east of Franklin Park, minor changes were needed on the Milwaukee District West weekday schedule as well. No trains have been eliminated or added but commuters may find arrival times at stations between Big Timber Road in Elgin and Chicago Union Station adjusted a few minutes.
SCHEDULE INFORMATION
Passengers can pick up paper copies of schedules beginning later this month at Chicago Union Station and Ogilvie Transportation Center. For UP-West riders, Metra personnel will pass out schedules at Ogilvie during the evening rush on Jan. 12. In the following days, those schedules will be available downtown and at all outlying stations. For North Central Service and SouthWest Service riders, Metra personnel will pass out schedules at Union Station during the evening rush on Jan. 19. In the following days, those schedules also will be available downtown and at outlying stations. New Milwaukee District West Line schedules also will be available downtown and at outlying stations beginning Jan. 19.
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