Metra

White and red Caltrain commuter train

Rail Electrification: Caltrain adds BEMUs to its EMU Order

Caltrain, the San Francisco-to-San Jose commuter railroad, plans to begin electrified operation next year on its 49-mile mainline. A 28-mile extension south to Gilroy would continue to be served by diesel trains, with one train powered by battery.

August 24, 2023 - San Mateo Daily Journal

View of two blurred Chicago el trains passing on elevated track between buildings

Chicago Transit Could See Consolidated Agencies, Fare Systems

A report makes recommendations for closing the region’s transit funding gap and improving service frequency and reliability.

August 20, 2023 - Chicago Sun-Times

View from back of person in black clothes and hat waiting to board train at Chicago train station with blurry train in front of them.

Chicago Awarded Federal Funding for Accessible Train Stations

The city received a federal grant geared toward improving accessibility at CTA and Metra stations, close to a third of which lack ADA compliance.

December 20, 2022 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Commuter Rail

Alternative Railroad Electrification

Rather than building costly overhead electrification infrastructure to convert a Chicago-area commuter rail line from polluting diesel power to emission-free electricity, the Metra Board of Directors chose a far less expensive and quicker route.

August 28, 2022 - Metra

Chicago, Illinois

Advocates Urge Mayor Lightfoot to Keep Transit Running in the Event of Post-Election Unrest

Nine organizations signed a petition to prioritize access to transit during potential post-election protests.

October 22, 2020 - WTTW

Metra train stopped at station

Moving Forward with Metra's Equity-Guided Transit System Plans

Metra's significant drop in ridership has forced the agency to adapt to a new transit landscape and plan for equitable fare offerings and service changes.

September 23, 2020 - Active Transportation Alliance

Chicago Train Station

Metra North Central Service Line Riders Push for More Service

A new report imagines more robust service on one of Metra's regional commuter lines in Chicago.

June 12, 2020 - Streetsblog Chicago

Rock Island Line

Opinion: Improved Commuter Rail Services Would Better Serve Chicago’s South Side Residents

The city’s South Side residents need more transit options, but an extension of the Chicago Transit Authority’s Red Line would be a costly and less effective alternative.

February 23, 2020 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago El

Advocating for Reduced Transit Fairs for Low-Income Riders in Chicago

A new report by the Active Transportation Alliance builds the case for reduced transit fares on all three transit systems in the Chicago region.

November 19, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Rock Island Line

Another New Commuter Rail Station for Chicago's South Side Transit Deserts

A South Side Chicago neighborhood with a history of neglect and disinvestment will soon be adding a new train station on the regional commuter system.

October 2, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Commuter Rail

What's Hindering Regional Transportation in the U.S.?

Public transportation that serves regional areas makes sense, but the United States has been slow to pursue strategies and policies that foster these types of systems.

September 29, 2019 - the transport politic

Metra Commuter Rail

Editorial: Cheaper Metra on the South Side Would Ease Chicago's Transit Inequities

The Red Line extension to 130th is still unfunded and a universal Chicago fare card hasn’t materialized, but in the immediate term, the Metra can run more trains and charge lower fares to help get the South Side moving.

August 12, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Commuter Rail

Chicago's Metra Will Build a 95th Street Station

Metra’s Electric line is one of the few places where Chicago’s commuter rail owns the tracks. Transit advocates have lobbied for years for the service to be run more like traditional public transit.

August 9, 2019 - Curbed Chicago

Chicago Commuter Rail

Op-Ed: Metra Expansion May Encourage Sprawl

The $45 billion transportation bill approved by the Illinois Legislature ended up including more public transit funding than it originally offered, but a Kendall County Metra project raises questions.

June 20, 2019 - Streetsblog Chicago

Chicago Commuter Rail

New Policy Would Likely Close Commuter Rail Stations on the South Side of Chicago

A new station evaluation policy, expected for adoption by the Metra Board of Directors in May, would make it easier to shut down "underperforming" stations.

April 19, 2019 - Streetsblog Chicago

Snow Removal

Polar Vortex Shuts Down Detroit's Q-Line Streetcar

Other polar vortex-related transit news included fire on the tracks in Chicago.

January 31, 2019 - Detroit Free Press

Metra Station

Construction to Begin on Two Metra Stations in Libertyville

Metra is revamping to the downtown train station in the Chicago suburb of Libertyville.

August 9, 2018 - Daily Herald

Metra Commuter Rail

Illinois gets Federal Grant to Reduce Railroad Delays on Chicago's South Side

The Federal government has awarded Illinois $132 million for new infrastructure around 75th street and 71st streets.

June 9, 2018 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Commuter Rail

Chicago's Metra Will Try One-Day Pass

Along with a scheme to simplify fares, Metra will roll out a one-day pass and a set of federally mandated safety updates.

May 14, 2018 - The Chicago Tribune

Chicago Commuter Rail

Metra's Hyde Park Plan Leaves Too Many Behind

Chicago's Metra has the resources to create frequent transit for a large swath of the South Side. Instead, their plan supports only the most fortunate along that train line.

July 23, 2017 - South Side Weekly

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