Metra News Release

News Release

Metra planning for predicted big crowds Monday

Chicago, April 28, 2006 - In anticipation of extremely large crowds in the downtown area Monday for the immigration rally, Metra is asking customers to be patient and plan for minor modifications to the daily service schedule.
"We are making every effort to prepare for as many passengers as possible to board our trains before, during and after Monday's rally," said Metra Deputy Executive Director Rick Tidwell. "We will do what we can to do to accommodate rally participants and maintain service for our regular riders, but space is very limited and expect things to get crowded."
Officials predict the rally could attract 300,000 people. Those numbers could easily fill up Metra's downtown stations, ticket windows and available seats even with the finite number of extra cars being positioned. To minimize lines in the afternoon and evening, Metra has been encouraging regular riders to purchase monthly passes Friday, over the weekend or Monday morning. The goal is, wherever possible, to reduce lines and crowds gathering inside the downtown stations.
With the rally scheduled to culminate in Grant Park, crowds could be substantial at the Millennium Park Station and nearby Van Buren Street Station serving the Metra Electric District and South Shore Line. Accordingly, passengers are asked to note that Monday afternoon the Van Buren station's entrance from Jackson Boulevard will be closed.
The big crowds likely will extend across the Loop and Metra is asking commuters to be patient and ready to allow extra time for travel. Metra's ability to add extra cars is constrained because only a limited number of cars and crews are available. Riders should be aware that trains could fill up to capacity quickly and waits could be longer than normal.
Across the system, Metra is putting additional cars on trains to boost capacity and is positioning reserve trains that could be pushed into service where and when needed.
"Our goal is to remain flexible," Tidwell said.
Regular passengers are asked to listen to onboard train announcements Monday morning for information about possible schedule changes.