Metra

COMPANY OVERVIEW

About Metra

Contact

547 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60661
United States

http://www.metrarail.com

Phone: 312.322.6777

More Info on Metra

Metra is a commuter rail service in the Chicago area since 1984.

Products and Press Releases

Bus

CTA extending #9 Ashland route to Ravenswood Metra station Sept. 3

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)

Aug. 28, 2024

The new route provides connections to the Metra UP-North line and the #78 Montrose and #81 Lawrence bus routes.

Fare Collection

RTA of Northern Illinois Board of Directors votes in favor of integrated day pass for unlimited rides on CTA, Metra and Pace

Regional Transportation Authority - Chicago

June 24, 2024

The day pass pilot will be launched this year on the Ventra App after the vendor completes development and testing.

Shelters, Stations, Fixtures, Parking & Lighting

Metra awards contract to rebuild 95th St./Chicago State University Station

June 13, 2024

The contract, awarded to John Burns Construction of Westmont, will work to improve rider experience on the Metra Electric Line.

Shelters, Stations, Fixtures, Parking & Lighting

Metra to open new Peterson/Ridge Station, expand weekday service on UP North Line

May 8, 2024

The agency will also be adjusting train departure times to accommodate the new stop at the new Peterson/Ridge Station.

Management

RTA of Northern Illinois submits request for $375 million in federal funding to fight climate change

Regional Transportation Authority - Chicago

April 12, 2024

The funding would allow the CTA, Metra and Pace to purchase and deploy state-of-the-art green technology benefiting riders and residents across four counties.

Infrastructure

Metra reveals list of 2024 construction projects

April 4, 2024

The projects, some of which are already under construction and will continue through the fall, will ensure Metra customers continue to enjoy safe and reliable service.

Vehicles

FTA awards $631 million in Rail Vehicle Replacement Program grants

Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

Feb. 22, 2024

The funding will help transit agencies in Chicago, Ill., Philadelphia, Pa., and Baltimore, Md., replace older vehicles with 300 new railcars.

Fare Collection

Access Pilot Program to launch Feb. 1 in Chicago area

Jan. 17, 2024

In partnership with the Regional Transportation Authority of Northern Illinois, Metra and Cook County, Ill., the Access Pilot Program will extend reduced fares on the entire ...

Shelters, Stations, Fixtures, Parking & Lighting

Public feedback involved in Amtrak’s renovation of Concourse at Chicago Union Station

Amtrak

Jan. 4, 2024

Improvements to the boarding process, modernized amenities and new services are among the changes to be designed.

Management

Metra Board of Directors approves 2024 operating and capital budgets

Nov. 13, 2023

The $1.1 billion operating budget includes a major revision to the agency’s fare structure and a new mix of fare products while the $574.9 million capital budget continues a significant...

Articles & News

Facilities

Regional Transportation Authority of Northern Illinois selects eight stations for pilot program aimed at boosting transit safety

Mischa Wanek-Libman

May 17, 2024

The projects will create a welcoming environment and address real and perceived safety issues at stations serving CTA, Metra and Pace systems.

Vehicles

Metra signs $154 million contract with Stadler for battery electric trainsets

Eman Abu-Khaled

Feb. 22, 2024

The BEMU rail vehicles supplied by Stadler will help Metra to improve air quality in Chicago's more densely populated regions.

Safety & Security

Metra adopts Passenger Code of Conduct, set to permanently allow bikes on trains Feb. 1

Brandon Lewis

Jan. 18, 2024

The Passenger Code of Conduct identifies prohibited behaviors for anyone using Metra facilities or trains and allows for the suspension of riding privileges and/or confiscation...

The Watsonville-Santa Cruz Multimodal Corridor Program, which includes transit and active transportation improvements, was one of nine projects awarded funding through the USDOT's Mega grants program.

Management

USDOT awards nearly $1.2 billion in Mega grants

Mischa Wanek-Libman

Feb. 1, 2023

The funding includes more than $517 million awarded to four passenger rail and transit projects.

The Forest Park Flyover will eliminate conflicts between freight and passenger trains; the location is called the most congested rail chokepoint in the Chicago area.

Infrastructure

CREATE Program begins construction on first half of 75th Street CIP

Mass Transit Staff Report

Oct. 26, 2022

The project will remedy the most congested rail chokepoint in the Chicago area and ease freight and passenger train movements.

A rendering of the possible color scheme for Metra's battery-powered locomotive.

Vehicles

Metra pursuing zero-emission locomotives

Mischa Wanek-Libman

Aug. 18, 2022

The plan, approved by the commuter railroad’s board, will convert up to six of Metra’s oldest locomotives to battery power.

A project that will rehab the Rogers Park Station on Metra’s Union Pacific North Line was one of 43 Chicagoland projects to be awarded grants through the Invest in Cook Program.

Management

‘Invest in Cook’ awards funds to two Chicago region transit projects

Mass Transit Staff Report

Aug. 9, 2022

The program awards grants for transportation-related projects and this year, will fund two transit, 16 pedestrian, 11 bicycle, one freight and 13 road projects.

Octavia Saffold, a Metra Electric rider, offered a testimonial of the positive impact the Fair Transit South Cook pilot program has had on her life.

Fare Collection

Fair Transit South Cook pilot labeled a success in first annual report

Mischa Wanek-Libman

May 5, 2022

The final two years of the program will see the partners working on an integrated fare payment solution that supports the program’s goals of providing more equitable mobility....

RTA, CTA, Metra and Pace have launched a joint advocacy campaign in the Chicago region to share the benefits of transit.

Management

Chicago region’s RTA launches ‘Forward for All’ campaign

Mass Transit Staff Report

April 4, 2022

The advocacy campaign aims to strengthen regional pride in the transit network and build awareness on the positive impact CTA, Pace and Metra services bring to the area.

A rendering of the new bridge and Grayland station work.

Infrastructure

Metra breaks ground on bridge project near Grayland Station

Mischa Wanek-Libman

Oct. 1, 2021

The project will replace a 122-year-old bridge that carries the Milwaukee District North Line, Amtrak and freight trains.

All content from Metra

Shelters, Stations, Fixtures, Parking & Lighting

Metra to close 103rd Street/Rosemoor Station Nov. 20 for renovation

Nov. 9, 2023

The renovation is expected to take seven to 12 months and is part of the Metra Electric Community Initiative.

Vehicles

Metra to receive $169.3 million CMAQ grant to buy zero-emission trainsets

Oct. 18, 2023

The funding represents the largest discretionary grant in Metra’s history and allows the agency to be among the first in the U.S. to operate the battery-powered, zero-emission...

Maulik Vaishnav joins RTA team as senior deputy executive director of planning and capital programming

Management

RTA of Northern Illinois appoints Maulik Vaishnav as senior deputy executive director of planning and capital programming

Regional Transportation Authority - Chicago

Oct. 12, 2023

Vaishnav will coordinate with the CTA, Metra, Pace, other government entities, civic partners and department staff to support regional and local planning and programs.

Pace_Suburban_Bus_gives_a_sneak_peak_of_first_Pulse_Dempster_Line_in_Des_Plaines

Shelters, Stations, Fixtures, Parking & Lighting

Pace reveals completed bus station along Pulse Dempster Line

Pace Suburban Bus

Aug. 10, 2023

The Pulse Dempster Line will provide faster bus service with limited stops, accessible trip information and modern amenities to the community.

Infrastructure

Illinois Gov. Pritzker launches Chicago Hub Improvement Program

Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)

Aug. 4, 2023

The program will invest nearly $1.1 billion in regional rail infrastructure, upgrade Chicago’s Union Station and improve performance and reduce delays while strengthening the ...

Shelters, Stations, Fixtures, Parking & Lighting

Metra cuts ribbon on rehabilitated Blue Island-Vermont Street Station depot

July 24, 2023

The $3.7 million project included a complete interior renovation, renovation of the roof and repairs to meet ADA compliance for accessible routes and new wayfinding and intermodal...

Mobile Applications

Pace launches Pace Connect

Pace Suburban Bus

June 28, 2023

Pace Connect is a new transit service designed to provide a first and last mile transit option during late night hours in two designated zones and is geared towards third shift...

Shelters, Stations, Fixtures, Parking & Lighting

Metra breaks ground on project to renovate three stations on Metra Electric line

June 23, 2023

The work is part of the Metra Electric Community Initiative; when completed, all stations will be ADA-accessible.

Metra, Homewood and other officials broke ground on May 11 on the $14.5 million renovation of the Homewood Station along the Metra Electric Line.

Shelters, Stations, Fixtures, Parking & Lighting

Metra breaks ground on $14.5 million renovation of Homewood Station along Metra Electric Line

May 15, 2023

The work includes the construction of a new, ADA-accessible east headhouse, the renovation of the platform, wind breaks, warming house, and gatehouse and construction of a new...