Metra posted an on-time performance rate of 97 percent for the month of October, exceeding its goal for the 8th consecutive 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.
The October rate of 97 percent exceeded the five-year average for the month of October of 95.5 percent. This performance follows seven months in which Metra’s on-time rate exceeded 95 percent: 97 percent in March, 97.2 percent in April and May, 95.8 percent in June, 95.3 percent in July, 96.3 percent in August, and 96.8 percent in September. For the first ten months of 2015, the systemwide on-time performance rate was 96 percent.
“Our team prides itself on delivering thousands of customers to their destinations safely and efficiently every day,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno. “By investing in the highest standards of maintenance, we will continue our work to meet and exceed the standards our customers expect and deserve.”
In October, 529 of 17,717 trains were tardy by six minutes or more. The most common cause for delays was switch failure, followed by right-of-way accidents. Track construction, freight interference and mechanical issues were other major causes of Metra train delays in October.
