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Metra

547 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60661
United States
312.322.6777
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Metra Logo 10703568

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

Press Releases

CTA
The Ventra app.
The pass allows unlimited rides on the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace in a single day.
June 23, 2025
Metra
Rendering of Metra's improved Van Buren Street Station
The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement grant funding will support station improvements and the purchase of electric locomotives.
June 20, 2025
Metra
Metra train.
The safety blitzes are part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the importance of safe behavior around its trains and tracks.
April 24, 2025
Pace Suburban Bus
Pace CNG bus.
The lack of funding would end all weekend bus service for Pace, eliminate early morning and late evening service for Metra and force CTA to drastically cut back its rail and bus...
March 24, 2025
Metra
person walks into rehabbed 147/Sibley metra station
Projects will focus on station improvements, grade crossing replacements, bridge repairs and upgrades to track, electrical and signal equipment.
March 19, 2025
The survey and community engagement will help Metra to understand how accessible its current system lines are and if there is a need to change line names.
March 11, 2025
Metra
A rendering of the 115th Street/Morgan Park Station.
Work is expected to begin later this year at the station to replace the existing platform shelters, create a new plaza and sidewalks, address stormwater management needs and ...
Feb. 21, 2025
STV
Metra has selected STV to provide procurement support for the agency’s all-electric, battery-powered trainsets.
STV will work to provide quality assurance, engineering and administrative services for Metra’s $154 million base order for eight battery-powered trainsets.
Feb. 19, 2025
The two agencies are working to complete the transfer of train operations on three lines to Metra while working to agree on financial compensations.
Feb. 14, 2025
Metra
A rendering of Metra's 103rd St./Rosemoor Station.
The work is part of a multiyear, multimillion-dollar plan to transform stations on the Metra Electric Line.
Feb. 4, 2025

Articles

Metra
rendering of rehabilitated 95 St/CSU station
Metra is working to expand, rehabilitate and increase accessibility at two stations along the Rock Island and Metra Electric lines.
June 17, 2025
St. Louis Metro
On Dec. 16, St. Louis Metro reopened the 8th & Pine MetroLink Station in downtown St. Louis.
Metra has completed the Homewood Station project while St. Louis Metro has reopened the 8th & Pine MetroLink Station in downtown St. Louis.
Dec. 18, 2024
Regional Transportation Authority
RTA has selected eight station projects that will promote fun activities near transit stations and stops, as well as promote a welcoming, safe environment.
The projects will create a welcoming environment and address real and perceived safety issues at stations serving CTA, Metra and Pace systems.
May 17, 2024
Metra
Stadler has estimated delivery of the battery electric trainsets to Metra in 2027-2028.
The BEMU rail vehicles supplied by Stadler will help Metra to improve air quality in Chicago's more densely populated regions.
Feb. 22, 2024
Metra
On Jan. 17, Metra adopted a Passenger Code of Conduct and made permanent a COVID-era policy that allows bikes on all trains.
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...
Jan. 18, 2024
Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission
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.
The funding includes more than $517 million awarded to four passenger rail and transit projects.
Feb. 1, 2023
CREATE Program
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.
The project will remedy the most congested rail chokepoint in the Chicago area and ease freight and passenger train movements.
Oct. 26, 2022
Metra
A rendering of the possible color scheme for Metra's battery-powered locomotive.
The plan, approved by the commuter railroad’s board, will convert up to six of Metra’s oldest locomotives to battery power.
Aug. 18, 2022
Metra
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.
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.
Aug. 9, 2022
Cook County
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.
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....
May 5, 2022

Additional content from Metra

Metra
The Milwaukee West Line Fox River bridge,
The agency owns 446 bridges, of which 80 percent of them are at least more than 75 years old and have surpassed their functional lifespan and are increasingly expensive to repair...
Jan. 23, 2025
RTA of Northern Illinois
CTA bus.
Transforming Transit is a $1.5 billion vision aimed at shaping the future of transit funding and governance ahead of the 2025 legislative session.
Jan. 16, 2025
CTA
CTA bus.
The agency stresses that the next couple of years are crucial if it is to avoid resorting to an operating fiscal cliff which would cut services and raise fares.
Dec. 23, 2024
Metra
Metra is working to rehabilitate its stations with new ADA-accessible street-level entrances and lobbies with elevators; new stairs and headhouses; new composite deck platforms; and new lighting and signage.
This station is one of three Metra will be working to rehabilitate with new ADA-accessible street-level entrances and lobbies with elevators; new stairs and headhouses; new composite...
Nov. 19, 2024
Metra
The station, which reopened to passengers on Oct. 28, now features a new elevator that makes it accessible to people with disabilities, a new covered staircase, a kiss & ride lane, bicycle parking, improved pedestrian pathways, a new platform covered by a canopy, and warming shelters.
The station now includes a new elevator that makes it accessible to people with disabilities, a new covered staircase, a kiss and ride lane, bicycle parking, improved pedestrian...
Oct. 30, 2024
Metra
Metra's proposed 2025 operating budget is about 4.1 percent higher than the 2024 budget.
Metra also proposed a $366.4 million capital plan that continues major investment in bridges, stations and new and rehabilitated rolling stock.
Oct. 11, 2024
The construction work is increasing the line’s capacity because the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, which operates the South Shore Line and is paying for most...
Oct. 9, 2024
CTA
CTA extending #9 Ashland route to Ravenswood Metra station Sept. 3.
The new route provides connections to the Metra UP-North line and the #78 Montrose and #81 Lawrence bus routes.
Aug. 28, 2024
RTA of Northern Illinois
RTA of Northern Illinois Board of Directors votes in favor of integrated day pass for unlimited rides on CTA, Metra and Pace.
The day pass pilot will be launched this year on the Ventra App after the vendor completes development and testing.
June 24, 2024
Metra
A rendering of the 95th St./Chicago State University Station.
The contract, awarded to John Burns Construction of Westmont, will work to improve rider experience on the Metra Electric Line.
June 13, 2024
The agency will also be adjusting train departure times to accommodate the new stop at the new Peterson/Ridge Station.
May 8, 2024
CTA
CTA electric bus.
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.
April 12, 2024
Metra
Metra telecommunications crews worked together with Union Pacific Railroad employees to install new visual information screens and totems at the Clybourn station.
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.
April 4, 2024
FTA
FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez presenting the $317 million check in funding to SEPTA.
The funding will help transit agencies in Chicago, Ill., Philadelphia, Pa., and Baltimore, Md., replace older vehicles with 300 new railcars.
Feb. 22, 2024
RTA of Northern Illinois
RTA of Northern Illinois train.
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 ...
Jan. 17, 2024
Amtrak
Public feedback will play a role in Amtrak’s renovation of the Concourse at Chicago Union Station.
Improvements to the boarding process, modernized amenities and new services are among the changes to be designed.
Jan. 4, 2024
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...
Nov. 13, 2023
The renovation is expected to take seven to 12 months and is part of the Metra Electric Community Initiative.
Nov. 9, 2023
Metra
Metra is set to receive a $169.3 CMAQ grant to buy battery-powered, zero-emission trainsets.
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...
Oct. 18, 2023
RTA
Maulik Vaishnav
Vaishnav will coordinate with the CTA, Metra, Pace, other government entities, civic partners and department staff to support regional and local planning and programs.
Oct. 12, 2023
Pace Suburban Bus
The first completed bus station along the Pulse Dempster Line was unveiled to state and local officials joined by Pace Suburban Bus leadership on Aug. 9 in downtown Des Plaines, Ill.
The Pulse Dempster Line will provide faster bus service with limited stops, accessible trip information and modern amenities to the community.
Aug. 10, 2023
Illinois Department of Transportation
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has launched the Chicago Hub Improvement Program.
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 ...
Aug. 4, 2023
Metra
Blue Island-Vermont Street Station depot.
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...
July 24, 2023
Pace Suburban Bus
From left to right: Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger, Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL), Harvey Mayor Christopher J Clark, Pace Chairman Rick Kwasneski, RTA of Northern Illinois Board Member Elizabeth Doody Gorman, Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways Superintendent Jennifer “Sis” Killen, Pace Director Terry R. Wells and Pace Director David Guerin.
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...
June 28, 2023
Metra
Metra and elected officials broke ground on a project to rebuild the 79th Street/Chatham, 87th Street/Woodruff and 103rd Street/Rosemoor stations on the Metra Electric Line.
The work is part of the Metra Electric Community Initiative; when completed, all stations will be ADA-accessible.
June 23, 2023
Metra
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.
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...
May 15, 2023
Metra
Metra is taking on several station improvement projects.
Construction work began during the first week of April and will continue through fall 2023, weather permitting.
May 3, 2023
Global Display Solutions will supply weather-proof LCD monitors of various sizes to be installed at all stations, providing up-to-the-minute travel information to customers from...
April 21, 2023
The blitzes are part of Metra's ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the importance of safe behavior around its trains and tracks.
March 30, 2023
The station rehabilitation includes the construction of a new, ADA-accessible headhouse on the east side, as well as the installation of new drainage, ventilation, lighting, and...
Feb. 23, 2023
The plan outlines 14 key areas of advocacy and action that were co-created with stakeholders to guide priorities in areas like funding, safety, speed and reliability.
Feb. 17, 2023
Metra
The Metra Board of Directors have approved a new 2023-2027 strategic plan.
The plan, My Metra, Our Future, focuses on addressing the operational and financial challenges of a post-COVID-19 world and sets ambitious goals for the agency’s evolution and...
Feb. 16, 2023
Regional Transportation Authority- Chicago
Kevin Bueso
Bueso is charged with overseeing the financial function and responsibilities of the RTA at an unprecedented inflection point for the Northeast Illinois transit system.
Feb. 1, 2023
The amount is the most ever secured by Metra in a single year and includes the largest discretionary grant Metra has ever received – $117 million for the next phase of the UP ...
Jan. 20, 2023
The new website, metratracker.com, allows customers to see precisely where their trains are and when they will reach their stations.
Jan. 11, 2023
Nick Fewings/Unsplash
A CTA Brown Line train to Kimball travels on elevated tracks in downtown Chicago.
The 2023 budget includes $3.583 billion for operations — an increase of six percent over the adopted 2022 budget.
Dec. 20, 2022
Metra
Metra Station Groundbreaking
The work is part of the Metra Electric Community Initiative, a multiyear, multimillion-dollar plan to transform 13 stations on the line.
Dec. 15, 2022
Regional Transportation Authority - Chicago
Transit is the Answer cover image.
The plan vision is safe, reliable, accessible public transportation that connects people to opportunity, advances equity and combats climate change.
Dec. 8, 2022
Metra
A rendering of a renovated Homewood Station on the Metra Electric Line. IHC Construction was awarded a contract to perform the renovation work by the Metra Board of Directors.
The $14.5 million contract will deliver ADA enhancements, passenger comfort elements and infrastructure improvements, including a new Pace bus facility.
Oct. 18, 2022
Metra
Metra's remanufactured EMD SD70MACH is the first of 15 locomotives scheduled to arrive at the Chicago area passenger railroad.
The locomotive is the first of 15 remanufactured locomotives that will enter Metra service.
Oct. 13, 2022
Beginngin Sept. 20, Union Pacific (UP) Railroad will embark on a major tie project along a 45-mile stretch of the Metra UP North Line between Kenosha and Chicago.Union Pacific...
Sept. 14, 2022
Metra
Blue Island Vermont St Rendering Metra
The work will include a complete interior renovation, sidewalk improvements, ADA upgrades and more.
Aug. 1, 2022
Metra
Fv3u Exfxeae Yh Zk Metra
The new station aims to improve access to transportation and jobs throughout the region, support economic development and opportunities in the neighborhood and contribute to the...
June 23, 2022
Metra
Metra Station Groundbreaking
The work, which will require the closure of the station for 12 to 15 months starting on May 16, is the first major upgrade to the facility in three decades.
May 6, 2022
Regional Transportation Authority
RTA, CTA, Metra and Pace have launched a joint advocacy campaign in the Chicago region to share the benefits of transit.
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.
April 4, 2022
Metra
Fm Om O Ql Wya Inh C5
The safety blitzes are part of Metra's ongoing efforts to raise awareness of the importance of safe behavior around its trains and tracks.
Feb. 24, 2022
Metra
The funds awarded Metra from the American Rescue Plan will support the railroad's service levels and help sustain staffing levels.
The funding is intended to help transit agencies maintain service and staff levels as the industry and communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Feb. 2, 2022
Metra
Metra is looking to hire locomotive engineers and conductors, among other positions.
The jobs to be posted in early January include locomotive engineers, conductors, coach cleaners, trackman, maintenance positions and other positions in operations and administration...
Jan. 4, 2022
Nick Fewings/Unsplash
A CTA Brown Line train to Kimball travels on elevated tracks in downtown Chicago.
The board is holding fares steady, but notes the region again faces uncertainty as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Dec. 20, 2021
CREATE Program Chicago
Metra create Program Chicago
The $14.5-million project was funded by Metra and is the 31st project out of 70 that are part of the CREATE program.
Nov. 17, 2021
Metra
Metra
The project, which is expected to take 15 months, is the first major upgrade to the facility since 1989.
Nov. 16, 2021
Metra
Metra
The $19-million project is expected to take about 18 months to complete and includes infrastructure work and customer amenities.
Nov. 5, 2021
Metra
Metra
The board also approved a nearly $263 million capital budget.
Oct. 18, 2021
Metra
Metra
The contract was awarded to IHC Construction of Elgin, which committed to meeting a DBE goal of 25 percent.
Oct. 15, 2021
Metra
A rendering of the new bridge and Grayland station work.
The project will replace a 122-year-old bridge that carries the Milwaukee District North Line, Amtrak and freight trains.
Oct. 1, 2021
Amsted Rail Transit
One of Amsted Rail Transit's bogie's developed for use on transit and commuter rail applications.
Amsted Rail Transit will supply bogie systems and other components, which will then be integrated into Alstom’s railcars.
Sept. 24, 2021
Pace Suburban Bus
An interior of an existing Pace PULSE route (image taken pre-COVID).
The grants are part of the Invest in Cook program, which were also awarded to bicycle/pedestrian, freight and road projects.
Aug. 6, 2021
The $28.2-million contract for the new station and parking facility was awarded to John Burns Construction of Orland Park.
July 29, 2021
Metra
Metra
Metra ridership has been steadily rising since January 2021 and has reached 17 percent of pre-pandemic levels.
June 15, 2021
The new station aims to improve access to transportation and jobs throughout the region, support economic development and opportunities in the neighborhood and contribute to the...
May 27, 2021
Metra
Metra Side Car
The railroad will utilize an online only application process and is looking to fill these positions by the fall.
April 28, 2021
Metra
Metra
Metra will ask manufacturers to propose solutions to convert three of Metra’s older F40PH-3 diesel locomotives to zero-emission battery power.
April 22, 2021
Regional Transportation Authority of Chicago
A chart depicting the survey respondents transit use before and during the pandemic.
The RTA survey shows a significant majority of lapsed riders expect to resume their pre-COVID-19 level of transit use, but increased telecommuting is likely to persist.
April 16, 2021
Timothy Pitzen/Metra
Metra Timmothy
The program includes work on two new stations, starting the replacement of a 122-year-old bridge over Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago and replacing more than 45,000 railroad ties ...
April 15, 2021
Metra
Work was performed on the building’s interior and exterior.
The $250,000 project, funded by Metra and overseen by the city, was the first major rehab of the 2,100-square-foot building in more than 25 years.
April 14, 2021
Metra
A rendering of the new rail cars.
A contract for up to 500 rail vehicles was approved by Metra’s Board in January.
March 19, 2021
Kevin McCann, the head of the agency's mechanical department, has been selected for the position.
March 19, 2021
Metra
The contract covers all cars that are not due to be replaced when new cars with a similar or better system enter the fleet.
The new system uses ultraviolet light, electrical fields and stronger filters to create the safest possible environment for its customers.
March 18, 2021
Metra
A switch locomotive on track. Metra will soon issue an RFP for six low-emission switch locomotives and one zero-emission switch locomotive.
The railroad plans to purchase six low-emission switch locomotives, as well as the first zero-emission locomotive.
Feb. 18, 2021
Metra
Metra
The state-of-the-art railcars from Alstom Transportation Inc., will feature new multilevel cars that will be more comfortable, accessible, reliable and safe than the outdated ...
Jan. 14, 2021
Metra
Leaders from Cook County, Metra, Pace and RTA at an event launching the Fair Transit South Cook pilot on Jan. 4.
The program aims to bring better service and lower costs to transit users in regions south of Chicago.
Jan. 5, 2021
CREATE Program
New signal boxes being installed as part of Canadian Pacific Crossover Upgrades project.
The Canadian Pacific Crossover Upgrades project saw five crossovers installed and signaling upgrades to help speed the movement of Metra and Canadian Pacific trains through Franklin...
Dec. 23, 2020
The project, which is expected to begin in 2021, will replace a railroad bridge over Milwaukee Avenue that was built in 1899.
Nov. 20, 2020
Metra
Funding will be used to design and construct the replacement of several bridges.
Metra’s Board also approved $386.8 million in capital spending in 2021, including investments in railcars, locomotives, bridges and stations.
Nov. 16, 2020
Metra
Metra Rock Island Credit Metra
The pilot project aims to lower fares and expand service to suburban communities south of Chicago.
Nov. 16, 2020
Metra
A Metra Electric train near downtown Chicago. Cook County is working with Metra and Pace to improve access to transit to south side residents of the city and suburban Cook County.
The county is partnering with Metra and Pace to lower fares and expand service to south suburban communities and residents on Chicago’s south side.
Oct. 19, 2020
Metra
Metra Side Car
Metra says UP damaged its bottom line and reputation, but UP says the revised fare collection practices boosted employee and rider safety and health.
Oct. 15, 2020
Metra
The proposed operating spending plan assumes that Metra ridership will end 2020 at about 20 percent of the pre-COVID-19 level and increase to 50 percent by the end of 2021.
Metra also detailed a 2021 capital budget of $386.4 million that continues significant investment in railcars, locomotives, bridges and stations.
Oct. 7, 2020
Metra
The improvements will enable Metra to increase the output of its railcar rehabilitation program by an estimated 40 percent from 35 to 60 railcars per year.
The expanded and renovated facility includes a new 38,000-square-foot building at the 49th Street Coach Shop.
Oct. 1, 2020
Amtrak
Officials celebrate the beginning of station improvements at the Homewood Amtrak and Metra station.
Station improvements include enhanced accessibility and infrastructure renovations.
Sept. 29, 2020
Metra
The campaign theme is meant to remind riders of the central role Metra plays in their lives and in their community.
The campaign will highlight all the steps Metra has taken, following the guidance of the CDC and health officials, to create a safe experience for its customers on its system....
Sept. 16, 2020
Metra's newly renovated Hazel Crest Station features a new street-level depot complete with vendor space, a waiting area and restrooms.
With the completion of the $3.5-million project, the station is now fully ADA compliant.
Aug. 21, 2020
The goal of the station shutdown is to cut the project timeline in half from four months to two months, reducing the impact on riders.
July 22, 2020
Metra
Rendering of Metra's new Peterson Ridge Station.
The contract was awarded to John Burns Construction Company, with the project slated to begin this fall and take about 18 months to complete.
July 20, 2020
Metra
Low ridership is designated with green and some ridership is designated with yellow.
The dashboard indicates the average number of riders per train car over a five‐day period and will provide data for weekday trains only.
July 13, 2020
Metra
Metra recently began PTC testing on its Metra Electric line as it continues work to meet the Dec. 31, 2020 deadline to have PTC fully implemented.
Commuter railroads are working hard through the pandemic and other challenges to meet the final PTC deadline at the end of the year.
June 8, 2020
Metra Instagram
Metra is increasing service levels on its Electric Line for PTC implementation.
The new schedule will represent about 74 percent of the normal weekday service.
May 5, 2020
The bridge replacement is part of a $17.2-million project to replace 11 century-old rail bridges.
May 1, 2020
Crews will remove and replace rails, ties, ballast, rubber panels and asphalt.
April 21, 2020
Metra
Metra Twitter
Projects include constructing new stations, replacing bridges and installing a new fiber optic cable.
April 1, 2020
In the first year of the pilot, Metra calculates there was an average increase of 550 trips a day in the fourth quarter of 2019.
March 5, 2020
The cameras will be installed on railcars to improve passenger safety.
Nov. 12, 2019
Metra Twitter
Metra Twitter
The station will be located south of 79th Street on the Rock Island Line with construction slated to begin in 2020.
Oct. 2, 2019
Chicago State University and Metra are partnering to build a new 95th Street station on the Metra Electric Line, renaming the stop 95th Street/Chicago State University Metra will...
July 30, 2019
The new 480-square-foot masonry structure is fully enclosed and features decorative stonework and a wooden truss ceiling.
May 31, 2019
Metra
Metra will conduct 59 Operation Lifesaver Safety Blitzes during 2019.
Metra safety employees will be at stations during the morning commute, distributing educational materials about train and grade crossing safety, answering questions and listening...
March 27, 2019
A major tie replacement project on the BNSF Line between Hinsdale and Aurora will be condensed into a single weekend to minimize the impact on commuter service, Metra announced...
Oct. 19, 2018
Metra proposed a 2019 operating budget of $822 million that does not include a fare increase.
Oct. 10, 2018
Metra has reached an agreement with business and civic groups in Lake County to share the costs of a potential two-year pilot project for two new reverse-commute trains on the...
Oct. 10, 2018