As part of its continuing efforts to increase transparency and accountability at the agency, Metra on July 22 announced the top 14 causes for train delays in June 2015. The list breaks down whether the causes were the primary or a secondary reason for the delays and then ranks the causes by the total number of delayed trains per month.
Metra’s goal is to operate at least 95 percent of its trains on time. Like the rest of the U.S. commuter railroad industry, Metra considers a train to have operated on time if it reaches its final destination within five minutes and 59 seconds of its scheduled arrival.
In June, Metra’s on-time performance rate was 95.8 percent – up from 93.1 percent in June 2014. This improved performance follows three months in which Metra’s on-time performance met or exceeded 97 percent: 97 percent in March and 97.2 percent in April and May. For the first half of 2015, the systemwide on-time performance rate was 95.8 percent.
“A critical part of Metra’s on-time reports is a comprehensive analysis of what causes train delays,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno. “Our goal is to identify delays that could have been prevented so that we can continue to improve our performance.”
In June, 735 of 17,433 trains were tardy by six minutes or more.
The most common cause for delays in June was mechanical problems, either due to a mechanical problem on the train itself or a delay caused by a mechanical problem on a train or trains ahead. Although some mechanical delays can be prevented, the age of Metra’s rail cars makes it increasingly difficult and time-consuming to keep engines and cars operating smoothly.
“Our $2.4 billion modernization plan continues to be our top priority to help us improve on-time performance, maximize efficiency and bring our system in line with what riders expect and deserve of a 21st century commuter railroad,” Orseno said. “Our plan calls for repairing and replacing virtually our entire fleet of train cars and locomotives, as well as for covering our costs to install the federally mandated positive train control safety system.”
The second-most common cause for delays in June was train loading, which occurs when trains remain at a station longer than expected. Factors that impact loading include the need to load high a volume of luggage, strollers or bicycles, and delayed boarding due to poor weather conditions. In June, one factor that impacted loading was the Blackhawks rally on June 18, when we served 421,409 passengers – the third-busiest day in Metra’s history.
“We think we did a pretty good job moving passengers that day, but there’s always room for improvement, so if the Blackhawks want to add another Stanley Cup to their collection, we’ll be ready,” Orseno said.
The third-most common cause for delays was freight train interference. In some cases, Metra and its partners have operational control over freight traffic. However, on many lines and at many crossings, Metra has no control and must coordinate closely with freight operators to keep all trains on schedule.
Signal or switch failures, right-of-way accidents, weather and track construction were other major causes of Metra train delays in June.
