Chapter 1: Introduction to Metra

This article marks the third installment of a five-part series focusing on Metra. Here, we delve into key downtown stations, positive train control systems, fare structures, ticketing options, and initiatives for reduced fares.

Union Station serves as a hub for both Metra and Amtrak services in Chicago. Alongside Illinois Service and Hiawatha Service, Amtrak provides nationwide train connections. Passengers transferring from Ogilvie Transportation Center can reach Union Station via its north platforms, located across Madison Street, a significant thoroughfare in the city.

Millennium and LaSalle stations are within walking distance of Union Station, which also shares some suburban Metra stations with Amtrak.

Chapter 1.1: The South Shore Line

The South Shore Line connects Chicago with its Indiana suburbs and South Bend, beginning at Millennium Station. This interurban line operates on the Electric District line south to 63rd Street. Interurban trains, which resemble trams, facilitate transport within and between urban areas.

The CTA has a longstanding agreement preventing competition, ensuring that eastbound South Shore trains stop at shared Electric District stations to pick up passengers, while westbound trains stop to drop them off.

Chapter 2: Safety Enhancements with Positive Train Control

In 2008, Congress enacted the Rail Safety Improvement Act to enhance railroad safety, mandating the installation of Positive Train Control (PTC) technology by 2015 for most U.S. rail carriers. While Metra aimed to meet this deadline, they later deemed it unrealistic due to various challenges, including government delays and the complexities of developing the technology.

Metra estimated the cost of implementing PTC across its 1,100-mile network in the Chicago area to exceed $200 million. Concerns arose that this unfunded mandate would siphon capital funds away from other critical needs such as infrastructure maintenance and safety equipment.

Metra recognized the necessity for PTC but required additional time for proper implementation, especially in light of past incidents, including two serious accidents in the Rock Island District. Both mishaps could have been averted had PTC been operational, as the system would have intervened to slow the trains appropriately.

In April 2015, Metra awarded an $80 million contract to Parsons Transportation Group, the sole bidder for the project. Parsons was tasked with integrating various technologies into a unified system. By 2020, the installation of PTC was completed, costing around $400 million, with an annual operating expense of $20 million. The system is now compatible with trains from 12 other rail companies.

The first video titled "The Past, Present, and Future of Metra" provides insights into the evolution and impact of Metra's services on the Chicago area.

Chapter 3: Fare Structure and Ticketing Options

Metra's fare system is determined by the distance traveled by passengers, with stations categorized into zones based on their proximity to downtown. The central terminal and downtown stations are classified as zone 'A,' with additional fare zones extending outward in increments of five miles.

Riders can choose from various ticket options, including one-way tickets, ten-ride passes, and day or monthly passes. The Ventra app simplifies the purchasing process, allowing riders to buy tickets digitally.

One-way tickets can be purchased for direct travel between two stations, while a ten-ride ticket allows for ten trips between two selected zones within a 90-day validity. Day passes provide unlimited travel for a single day, and the monthly pass grants unlimited travel within specified zones throughout the month.

In 2022, Metra introduced the "Super Saver" monthly pass, offering unlimited travel across all zones for a flat fee, along with a combined Regional Connect Pass for unlimited travel on CTA buses and the 'L' for pass holders.

The second video, "Fewer riders on Chicago's Metra trains during this DNC week," discusses the impact of events on ridership trends.

Chapter 4: Initiatives for Reduced Fares

Metra, in collaboration with the RTA, has implemented reduced fare programs for specific groups, including certain students, seniors, military personnel, and individuals with disabilities. These programs have geographical and time-based restrictions, so passengers should verify eligibility before purchasing special tickets.

The Fair Transit pilot program, launched in Cook County on January 4, 2021, offers reduced fare rates for riders on the Metra Electric and Rock Island lines. Additionally, passengers attending events at Ravinia Park can ride for free on the Union Pacific North Line by presenting their festival e-ticket.

Conclusion

This article, the third in a five-part series on Metra, provided an overview of downtown stations, safety enhancements through positive train control, fare systems, ticketing options, and programs for reduced fares.