Update on Emissions Task Force 12/17/2010
Metra’s Emissions Task Force, formed by the rail agency to investigate the level of diesel emissions on trains and downtown platforms and to identify ways to improve air quality, has taken several steps since it was formed last month in response to a Chicago Tribune story. Read More
Metra Air Quality Testing 11/17/2010
On Tuesday, November 16, 2010, Metra began testing the air qualityonboard some passenger cars and at downtown terminals. Read More
Track Work Delays On UP-W Line For November 12, 13 and 14 11/10/2010
Due to track work beginning Friday, November 12, 2010, at 8:00 p.m., inbound and outbound trains on the Union Pacific West Line are expected to operate up to 30 minutes behind schedule. Read More
Metra convenes task force to improve air quality 11/09/2010
Responding to a Chicago Tribune story that raised questions about the level of diesel emissions on downtown platforms and onboard trains, Metra on Tuesday said it has hired an independent firm to conduct tests and is forming a task force to investigate the problem and propose new ways to improve the air quality. Read More
Attention Metra Electric Riders 11/03/2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010, Only Between the Hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Track work will be performed between Richton Park and University Park. To accommodate this work, bussing will be required between these two stations. Read More
A New Metra Accessibility Advisory Committee 10/29/2010
Metra is forming an ADA Advisory Committee. We are looking for Metra commuters who are people with disabilities to serve on a committee that will meet quarterly. Read More
Attention Metra Electric Passengers 10/29/2010
Beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 30, 2010 and continuing until the first train on Sunday, October 31, 2010, the 59th Street station will be closed due to the “Get Out The Vote” rally in the Hyde Park area. Read More
Metra Board Approves Release of 2011 Budget 10/15/2010
The Metra Board of Directors today approved the release of the agency’s proposed 2011 Program and Budget book for public hearing and comment. Read More
Metra seeks rider input on “quiet cars” 10/13/2010
The October issue of Metra’s On the Bi-Level newsletter is asking riders for their input about the idea of implementing “quiet cars” on Metra trains. Read More
UP North bridge project postponed, original schedule to be reinstated Oct. 3 09/30/2010
Feedback from riders and communities along the Union Pacific North line regarding recent schedule changes has prompted Metra to postpone the project to rebuild 22 bridges on the line until next spring and reinstate the line’s original schedule with a two-track operation starting Sunday, Oct. 3. Read More
Metra Electric District Bussing 9/30 & 10/1 09/28/2010
This Thursday (9/30) and Friday (10/1), we will be bussing on the Metra Electric District between UP and Richton due to wire work. Read More
Milwaukee District North (MD-N) Bussing Sunday, October 3, 2010 09/28/2010
Scheduled track work will take place between Lake Forest and Libertyville on the Milwaukee North Line between the hours of 10:15 a.m. and 5:15 p.m., on Sunday, October 3, 2010-ONLY. This will require bussing between Libertyville and Lake Forest. Read More
An Important Message from Metra Chairman Carole R. Doris 09/22/2010
After a thorough review of the revised schedule that was supposed to take effect on Sunday, Metra has decided to postpone a schedule change until the first week of October. Read More
RTA Travel Information Center Short Closure For Relocation 09/20/2010
The Regional Transportation Authority’s TravelInformation Center (TIC) will be closed on Sunday,September 26, beginning at 5 a.m. and will re-openon Tuesday, September 28 at 7 a.m.,due to the TIC relocating. Read More
Revised UP North schedule to begin Sept. 26 09/17/2010
Metra’s new Union Pacific North schedule will begin Sunday, Sept. 26. The new schedule can be viewed here. The schedule has been adjusted to address issues that arose after the August 22 schedule change. That change was made due to a major project to rebuild 22 aging bridges on the north side of Chicago, which will require inbound and outbound trains to share a single track in the construction zone. Read More
Attention Ravenswood Station riders 09/17/2010
Inbound riders who use the Ravenswood Station on the Union Pacific North line should note that after 10 a.m. on Sept. 21, Metra will begin picking up and dropping off passengers at the new temporary platform on the north side of Lawrence. Read More
Metra, Amtrak and Local Law Enforcement Agencies Participate in Operation RAILSAFE Exercise 09/10/2010
Metra and other law enforcement agencies will have a visible presence at rail stations across the region today as part of an exercise to demonstrate interagency cooperation and coordination in counterterrorism and incident response capabilities. Read More
Redesigned Metra Website Marks First Anniversary 09/09/2010
Metra’s redesigned website celebrates its first anniversary today. The redesigned, customer-friendly site, www.metrarail.com, was launched a year ago on 9-9-09. Read More
Public Meetings Set for Metra SouthEast Service Alternatives Analysis 09/08/2010
The final round of public meetings for the Metra SouthEast Service Alternatives Analysis study are set for Sept. 22 and Sept. 28. Read More
Metra Commuter Construction Alert 09/08/2010
Please be advised that on Monday, September 13th, Phase II of the Winnetka Station rehabilitation project will begin. Read More
Message to riders of the Union Pacific North Line 08/27/2010
Information regarding UP North Line schedule changes Read More
Attention Fairview Avenue Commuters 08/26/2010
Grade crossing repairs will begin at Fairview Avenue on August 27, 2010. This will cause Fairview Avenue road crossing to close which will severely impact access to the south commuter parking lot in the afternoon when passengers unload on the north platform. Read More
Metra Safety Contest Winners Honored 08/18/2010
The winners of Metra’s 2009-2010 safety poster & essay contest were honored during the August 14 meeting of the Board of Directors. The contest, in its fourth year, drew nearly 4,500 entries from students across the region interested in promoting rail safety. Read More
Launching the New Metra Office of Inspector General (OIG): 08/13/2010
Launching the New Metra Office of Inspector Genral (OIG): Our Strategic Recommendations on Establishing a Strong, Independent and Sustainable Function Read More
Metra finalizes new Union Pacific North Schedule 08/06/2010
Metra today released the final version of a new schedule for the Union Pacific North line that will take effect on August 22. Read More
Ravenswood Station to Get Major Upgrade 08/05/2010
Metra and Alderman Gene Schulter (47th) are pleased to announce that Metra is ready to move forward with building a bigger and better Ravenswood Station at its current location on the Union Pacific North Line. Read More
Metra Chairman Testimony Before Illinois Senate Committee 08/05/2010
Metra Chairman Carole Doris testimony before the State of Illinois Senate Committee on State Government and Veterans Affairs on July 28, 2010. Read More
Heritage Corridor Platform Rehabilitation Project 07/29/2010
Beginning, Monday, August 2, 2010 & Continuing until December 31, 2010 Metra will begin work on the rehabilitation of the Joliet Union Depot, Heritage Corridor Platforms. Read More
Track Work Between Richton and University Park 07/27/2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010, between the Hours of 9:15 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Track work will be performed between Richton Park and University Park. To accommodate this work, bussing will be required between these two stations. Read More
BNSF Belmont Station Closure 07/27/2010
On Saturday, August 7, 2010 the BNSF Belmont Station will be closed and not available for passenger use in order to initiate the first phase of the construction of the new grade separation at Belmont Road. Read More
Additional Service to Lollapalooza 07/27/2010
Once again, the City of Chicago's lake front at Grant Park will host Lollapalooza from August 6-8 2010. During this three day music festival Metra will offer additional service to accommodate festival attendees. Read More
Metra to hold open houses on UP North bridge project, schedule changes 07/22/2010
Metra will be holding three open house forums over the next two weeks to provide Union Pacific North line riders with information about a major bridge reconstruction project that will require changes to the UP North schedule starting August 22. Read More
Major Improvements on the Union Pacific North Line 07/16/2010
Work will begin in August 2010 on a $185M bridge and retaining wall construction project on the Union Pacific North Line. A total of 22 bridges on the north side of Chicago will be replaced, with the construction split into two phases. Read More
Attention Union Pacific West Riders 07/16/2010
Beginning Friday, July 16, 2010, at 8:00 p.m. and continuing thru the last train Sunday, July 18, 2010: Read More
Attention Round Lake Commuters 07/13/2010
Beginning July 15, 2010 and continuing until October 1, 2010: Construction of a new platform, lights and retaining wall will begin at the Round Lake station. Work will begin on the east end of the platform. Read More
July 2-5 and Taste of Chicago Service 06/23/2010
The regular Metra schedule will be modified or supplemented this coming weekend to accommodate different demands for service during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Read More
Metra Selects Blackman Kallick to Perform Risk Assessment and Financial Control Study 06/15/2010
The Metra Board of Directors at its June 11 meeting hired the accounting firm of Blackman Kallick to undertake an independent risk assessment and to provide advice to the board on governance, financial controls and oversight. Read More
Minor changes coming to BNSF schedule 06/11/2010
Starting July 12, nearly two dozen weekday trains on the Metra BNSF Line will see minor schedule changes to accommodate a major construction project and/or to make the schedules more reliable. Read More
Blackhawks Rally Service Plan 06/10/2010
In order to accommodate the anticipated increase in ridership generated by the Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Championship Celebration, Metra will be adding additional service. Read More
Weekend Family Fares 06/01/2010
Metra will extend its popular "Weekend Family Fares" program to include weekdays, starting Monday, June 14, through Labor Day. Read More
Attention Fairview Ave. & Hanover Park Commuters 05/27/2010
Emergency grade crossing repairs will begin at Fairview Avenue on June 1, 2010. Read More
Metra Selects Former Top Chicago Cop And Secret Service Leader To Head OIG 05/26/2010
The board also said it has begun the process of engaging an audit and advisory firm with public sector experience to undertake an independent risk assessment and to provide advice to the board on governance, financial controls and oversight. Read More
Metra adds train for American Idol event 05/24/2010
On Wednesday, May 26, 2010 the Union Pacific will operate an extra train from Mt. Prospect to Chicago. Read More
Attention Western Springs Commuters 05/20/2010
Scheduled track maintenance will be performed in the limits of the Western Springs station. Read More
Attention Route 59 Commuters 05/20/2010
Due to electrical repair work, the main steps and top landing at Route 59 will have to be excavated. Read More
Pre-Memorial Day Service Friday, May 28, 2010 05/18/2010
Metra will be running a special schedule on Friday, May 28th, 2010. Read More
Executive Summary Report 05/14/2010
Regarding Investigation of Irregularities in Metra's Executive Compensation Practices Read More
Metra adds train for American Idol event 05/13/2010
Metra will add an extra inbound train on the Union Pacific Northwest Line on Friday, May 14, to accommodate passengers returning from a concert by American Idol contestant Lee DeWyze of Mount Prospect. Read More
Attention Rock Island Commuters 05/12/2010
The Rock Island Engineering Department will be doing scheduled track work between Brainerd and Gresham on the Beverly Sub District. Read More
Milwaukee District North Track Construction Notice 05/04/2010
The Milwaukee District North line will be starting a major track rehabilitation and tie replacement project from Healy to Northbrook, beginning Thursday, May 6, 2010 through Wednesday, June 30, 2010. Read More
A Message from the Chairman 04/30/2010
This morning the Metra Board of Directors held an emergency meeting to discuss hiring outside legal counsel to initiate an inquiry into reports of potential irregularities allegedly involving Metra’s Executive Director Phil Pagano. Read More
Attention: 119th Street Station Commuters 04/28/2010
Beginning Thursday, April 29, 2010, and continuing for approximately three weeks, the northern half of the station side platform will be closed due to construction. Read More
Late Night Busing – Rock Island District 04/23/2010
The Rock Island Engineering Department will be undercutting the track in the limits of the Oak Forest station, between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Read More
Attention: Oak Forest Commuters 04/23/2010
Due to track work, crosswalks and crossing signals will be temporarily taken out of service on Friday, April 23, 2010 and Saturday, April 24, 2010. Read More
Metra BNSF Stone Ave. Station Construction 04/14/2010
On Monday, April 19, construction will begin on the western half of the inbound and outbound platforms at the Stone Avenue Station. Read More
Milwaukee District North Line Busing 04/13/2010
Due to scheduled bridge maintenance that will be performed between Morton Grove and Golf, on Saturday April 17th, 2010. Milwaukee District North Line train #2627 passengers will be bussed from Morton Grove to Golf. Read More
Follow Metra on Twitter 03/29/2010
Metra is now sending out Twitter alerts! There is a main Metra Twitter account that contains each tweet from the corresponding lines. Each line also has an established Twitter account which contains only alerts for that particular line. Read More
Mobile Website Unveiled 03/25/2010
Metra has unveiled a mobile website that is streamlined to be compatible with iPhones, Blackberries and any other portable web-enabled devices. Read More
On the Bi-Level celebrates its 25th anniversary 03/02/2010
What is the “most outrageous letter” ever published in Metra’s on-board newsletter? Why did one rider use its pages to thank a woman who threw a glass of water at her? Is there a polite way to turn a magazine page? Who is the perfect Metra rider, anyway? And what happened when Metra asked riders to say something nice for a change? Read More
RTA's Travel Information Center 01/28/2010
The Regional Transportation Authority’s Travel Information Center (TIC) will be closed on Friday, January 29. Read More
Metra is now accepting credit cards at all staffed stations 01/20/2010
Metra is now accepting credit cards at all of its downtown stations, all other manned stations and at the 14 busiest Metra Electric stations. Read More
Expanded Elburn parking lot opens 01/11/2010
Metra officials, U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, Elburn Village President Dave Anderson and other community leaders marked the opening of expanded parking facilities at the Elburn Station on Metra’s Union Pacific West Line during a dedication ceremony in Elburn today. Read More
Metra’s new fare structure begins Feb. 1 01/06/2010
Metra’s new fare structure, including adjustments in one-way fares and the first change in the cost of weekend passes since the program began in 1991, begins on Feb. 1. But most Metra riders won’t be affected, because the vast majority of riders use 10-ride tickets and monthly passes, and those fares won’t change. Read More
