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Metra Monthly Commuter Newsletter November 2019

Metra hosts Toys for Tots Drive Dec. 10

For the eighth consecutive year, Metra and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation will host a Toys for Tots drive at all downtown Chicago Metra stations on Tuesday, Dec. 10. Marines and Metra employees will collect new, unwrapped toys during the morning and evening rush hour periods at Millennium Station, Van Buren Street Station, Chicago Union Station, Ogilvie Transportation Center, and LaSalle Street Station.

Metra Board approves cameras on railcars

The Metra Board of Directors approved a $15.5 million contract at its November meeting to purchase and install cameras inside the commuter railroad�s passenger cars.The contract was awarded to Railhead Corporation of Burr Ridge, Illinois, and includes the design, implementation and installation of a surveillance camera system capable of capturing video of all passenger seating areas and vestibules on a minimum of 400 railcars and a maximum of 700 railcars.

Metra's latest heritage locomotive debuts
Metra locomotive 211�s new silver and red heritage design was inspired by the stainless-steel E-series passenger locomotives that ushered in the diesel era on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad�s long-distance passenger trains in the 1940s and its Aurora-to-Chicago commuter operation in the 1950s.

Metra's honors crew
Metra Electric Line Conductors Milton R Driver III and Darrell Eaton were formally recognized by the Metra Board for helping an emotionally troubled teenager during a train run Oct. 17. The two men noticed the teen on the Metra Electric tracks near 111th Street, stopped their train, brought the young woman on board and talked with her as they transported her downtown where, with the help of the Metra Police, they ensured she received appropriate medical treatment.

STANDING ISSUE

Why are passengers allowed to stand in the aisles and vestibules? I have been watching this phenomenon over the past decade and finally thought I would ask. This is a daily issue and seems to be getting worse on the BNSF trains (eg. 1224, 1226) and I don�t understand it. There are plenty of seats somewhere on the train.
Here are my concerns/issues:
� The conductors have a hard time getting through the trains and when they finally do, it causes standing passengers to push into sitting passengers to get out of the way.
� Standing passengers hit sitting passengers with brief cases, purses, backpacks as they sway around in the aisle.
� When the train stops and starts the standing passengers often lose their balance spilling coffee and bumping into others.
� What if there is an emergency and there is a need to get through the aisles in a timely fashion? I have been on a train before when a passenger had a seizure.
� The trains are not really built for standing passengers like the L trains. The small bars on the seats are immediately behind a seated passenger�s head, thus causing the standing passengers arm to hit the head of the seated passenger. Most standing passengers don�t hold on to anything and rely on their balance, which, by the way, is not that good especially while studying their cellphone.
� Passengers on airplanes are not allowed to stand � presumably for safety reasons. One would think the common sense of this rule would carry over to the long-distance commuter trains.
� If a passenger needs to get off the train before everyone else and cannot get a seat in the first train, then take an earlier train or drive.

T.D.

Sorry, but we�ve found no commuter train service in the U.S. or abroad where standing is prohibited. Our conductors do encourage people to move to cars where there are seats, but it�s not really feasible to force people to move to another car. On trains that we know are near capacity, we have tried to balance out overcrowding by staggering where trains stop on the platform so that everyone doesn�t try to enter the same car. But at the same time, we have no way of stopping them from moving to another car once on board. Our society�s addiction to electronics does seem to lend itself to clueless and self-absorbed behavior in public. We have always found that in a real emergency on board our trains that people do behave appropriately and lend a hand or move and allow emergency responders to do their jobs.

TONES QUESTIONED

On the 6:37 a.m. out of Route 59 on the BNSF, there are three tones you hear over the PA system as we get closer to Chicago. Plays every ride in at the same spot. What do those tones signify?

G.M.

The tones are meant to be an added layer of safety and alert the crew that the train is approaching a location where track speed must be reduced by 20 mph or more, usually a curve. The tones alert the train crew to remind the engineer that the train is approaching one of these locations and to be prepared to take action if the train should fail to slow down.

THERE MUST BE TYPOS!

Congrats on new, more detailed Quiet Car signs and instructions. I have been riding Metra/UPN for over four decades. For far too long has the integrity of the Quiet Car been abused and disrespected. However, either your proposed upgraded signs have typographical errors and/or fail to address the following flagrant Quiet Car violations: 1. People talking, including on their cellphones, when the train has arrived at Ogilvie and they are waiting to get off and leave the train. Same goes for those talking before the train leaves Ogilvie. It should not matter if the train is moving or not. The boundaries of the Quiet Car must be respected. Please revise your new signs to incorporate this critical admonition. 2. Talking and use of cellphones in vestibule. As to this one, your upgraded sign implies that such conduct is permitted. The vestibule is part of the train car. No favoritism should be shown for any part of the Quiet Car regardless if the vestibule doors are shut and no one in main compartment can hear anything. If a tree falls in the forest and no one heard it, the tree still fell. I encourage you to revise and edit the new signs to explicitly prohibit such activities. The moral integrity of the Quiet Car must be preserved! If not, then how will we be judged by future generations?

J.S.

Considering that you managed to survive three decades of riding Metra without a Quiet Car, we�re going to assume that you�re being facetious. If not, we recommend an investment in a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones because no railcar filled with passengers, quiet or otherwise, is ever going to be silent. But honestly, we were just trying to make sure the long-standing rules were clearly displayed.

CROWDED PLATFORMS

Re: the complaint about crowding on the north platforms at Union Station. There IS something Metra can do that isn�t being done all the time. When a Metra train pulls in, there are times when it sits there empty without opening the doors. It can be as long as 15-20 minutes and people are gathering outside each door waiting to get on the train causing blockage in the very narrow pathways. Is there anyway Metra can open it�s passenger doors once secured in the train depot?

G.M.

We always strive to open the doors 10-15 minutes before departure, but that�s not always possible. The doors can�t be opened until the crew does a job briefing and a brake check; they try to do that as fast as they can but the tight turns in rush sometimes make it hard to do.

Take Metra to Mag Mile Lights Festival

Chicago kicks off the holiday season with the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival on Friday, Nov. 22 and Saturday, Nov. 23. The festival offers two days of free, family-friendly activities leading up to the tree-lighting parade. To accommodate the expected crowds, Metra will add trains and expand seating capacity on Saturday, Nov. 23.

Full story

Metra Safety Contest needs entries

For the 14th year, Metra is asking students across the Chicago region to illustrate through posters or essays the importance of safe behaviors near the railroad. This year�s theme: �Obey the Signs� emphasizes the importance of obeying signs along the tracks at rail crossings.

Full story

New Cary Station dedicated

Metra joined with officials from Cary and McHenry County to dedicate the new station facility at Cary on the Union Pacific Northwest Line. The $3.3 million project included a completely new 1,400-square-foot station building and a new 300-square-foot warming shelter on the station�s inbound platform.

Full story

Read More in the Metra Newsroom

Oct. 20 - Jan. 26

Andy Warhol: from A to B and back again
This major retrospective at the Art Institute�the first to be organized by a U.S. institution in 30 years�builds on the wealth of new research, scholarship, and perspectives that has emerged since Andy Warhol�s death in 1987. Click here for more information.

Nov. 14- Jan. 5

Christmas Around the World!
Every year, the Museum of Science and Industry puts up its 45-foot-tall Grand Tree and surrounds the towering pine with more than 50 trees that represent Chicago's various communities and their respective holiday celebrations. Click here for more information.

Nov. 15 - Dec. 24

Christkindlmarket
You haven't experienced the holidays in Chicago until you've stepped into this giant open-air market inspired by a similar seasonal tradition in Nuremberg, Germany. Bring the family to Daley Plaza to join in the fun. Click here for more information.

Nov. 15 - March 1

Chicago's outdoor rinks open
Grab the family and grab your skates and create some memories as the ice skating season opens at Millennium Plaza and Maggie Daley Park. Skate rentals are available at both locations. Click here for more information.

ATTENTION METRA RIDERS!

CMECU now offers
Lend-A-Paw Loans!

Lend-a-Paw Loans are designed to give pet-owners an
alternative to paying high credit card rates to cover an emergency trip
to the vet, professional training or other unexpected expenses.

Apply for up to $5,000, starting at 4.99% APR.
CMECU Membership is open to all Metra employees AND
riders commuting to/from Chicago�s Loop.

To join CMECU and apply for a Lend-A-Paw loan go to:
www.cmecuonline.org or call 312.236.2326.

Chicago Municipal Employees Credit Union �
Chicago�s Credit Union since 1926!

We love to hear from our riders!
Send letters, questions or feedback

E-mail: onthebilevel@metrarr.com.
Snail Mail: On the Bi-Level, Metra, 547 W. Jackson, Chicago, IL 60661-5717

We can not guarantee all letters will be printed or answered. Please keep letters to less than 200 words and include your first name, hometown and what line you ride. (Names are not required but strongly encouraged.) We reserve the right to edit letters for length and grammar.

On the Bi-Level is published by Metra's Media Relations Department.

You are receiving this email because: 1.) You're an awesome customer of Metra or 2.) You subscribed via our website. Want to be removed? No problem, click here.

� 2015 Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority

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Metra Monthly Commuter Newsletter December 2019

Metra to offer free rides New Year�s Eve

For the first time in its history, Metra will offer free rides across its system on New Year�s Eve and discounted fares on New Year�s Day. Rides will be free on every Metra train that arrives or departs downtown Chicago stations after 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31. On New Year�s Day, Metra will offer a $5 unlimited ride pass.

Help Metra order new railcars by responding to web survey

Metra is about to buy some new railcars, and we need your help to order them.

Take Survey

How we prepare for the cold and snow

With last winter�s polar vortex a not-so-distant memory, most long-range forecasts for this coming winter indicate that the Midwest could experience higher snowfall totals than normal. Knowing that snow and cold present some of our greatest challenges to providing reliable commuter rail service, Metra begins its winter preparations in earnest shortly after Labor Day.

EMPATHY DEFICIENT

I ride BNSF Train 1222 each morning from Route 59 and Train 1247 each evening home. I see the same 30-something couple nearly every day. I don�t have an issue with them in the morning. But in the evening as I am getting off the train and/or going down the stairs they make comments. Yesterday, the man acted like he needed the conductor�s help to get off the train and everyone laughed. A few years ago I had a spinal cord injury. While I cannot walk as fast as I did when I was in my 30s, now that I am 60, I am just happy to remain upright and mobile (albeit a bit slower than most). Have a little tolerance for people who can no longer move as fast as you. And rather than making snarky comments, making fun of or pushing past them, how about just let us go about our business? Hopefully, you will NEVER have a serious illness or have age slow you down � or drive.

D.G.

     We�re sorry for your experience. We can only hope that these two see themselves in your letter, reflect and learn the meaning of the word empathy. But let�s take this as an opportunity to remind each other that the best gift we can give others this holiday season is kindness. You have no idea of the challenges (physical or other) that your fellow commuters carry with them. How would you feel if the tables were turned and you were the one being jostled aside or mocked?

CONDUCTOR PRAISE

     I would like to praise your conductor Raymond on the 5:35 express train to Kenosha on the Union Pacific North Line. I always ride his train on Wednesdays, and he is very friendly. He reminds people about the Quiet Car and is always doing his job. His partner, Steve, is really awesome, also. He gets the job done. Steve and Ray are excellent workers with positive attitudes.

D.C.

Thank you for the kind words � it�s always nice to hear praise for the men and women on the front lines.

CROWDED CONDITIONS

Unless you want passengers sitting on each other�s laps, I suggest you provide your paying passengers with more train cars or more trains � that�s the only way to avoid standing in the train car aisles.

L.L.

We are sorry about the crowded conditions, but it�s not so simple to add a car to a crowded train, because we have no spare cars to add � we are using every car we own in rush hour already. To add a car to one crowded train, we have to take a car away from another train, potentially creating crowded conditions there. We are always looking to identify trains where we can do that, but on a busy line like the BNSF the opportunities are few. The lack of spare cars is a direct result of shortfalls in capital funding over the last few years - but the good news is that the state provided some funding this year and our priority is to buy more cars and locomotives. In fact, last month was the deadline for manufacturers to submit proposals to us for new cars � and we allowed them to propose new designs, with an emphasis on customer amenities and increased capacity. We now have to review the proposals, pick a winning proposal and have the cars built, which will take some time, but we are working on it as fast as we can.

SKIPPING NAPERVILLE?

Twice now I have been stranded by getting the 5:02 from Union Station, which does not stop at Naperville. There are numerous stations on Metra that see no more than a dozen commuters a day. Naperville is not one of them � I believe 25 percent of Metra�s daily volume goes through Naperville. That said, why on earth have trains that skip Naperville?

R.C.

Naperville and Route 59 are the two busiest stations in our entire system. We used to have trains that served both stops (and we still do have some), but they were incredibly crowded. We decided, therefore, to change the schedule to more evenly balance ridership between trains. The 5:02 does not stop at Naperville because it stops at Route 59. The 4:58 does not stop at Route 59 because it stops at Naperville. We could have the trains stop at both stations but that would result in slower trips, and we think customers appreciate making the trip as short as possible.

Attention Ventra App users!

Exciting new improvements are coming to the Ventra app in 2020, and we want to make sure app users are prepared. Please confirm your phone�s operating system is up to date to ensure you�ll be able to access the full functionality of these new enhancements to the app.

Full story

Entries needed for Metra Safety Contest

The deadline for Metra�s Safety Poster and Essay Contest is fast approaching and the down time between Christmas and New Year�s presents the perfect opportunity for your student to flex their creative muscles. Click below for more information about the contest.

Full story

No fare increase in 2020

The Metra Board of Directors approved a 2020 operating budget that keeps expenses in check, does not require a fare increase, and provides $480.5 million for capital investment in locomotives and railcars, stations, bridges and yards - an unprecedented amount. It is the second year in a row Metra has not raised fares.

Full story

Read More in the Metra Newsroom

June 21

ATTENTION METRA
EMPLOYEES AND RIDERS!

All METRA employees and riders are automatically eligible for membership in the Chicago Municipal Employees Credit Union (CMECU)! Founded in 1926, it is the oldest credit union in the State of Illinois!

� CMECU is a not-for profit cooperative, we return profits to members in the form of lower fees on loans and higher return on savings - �People Helping People�

� We offer the same types of loans and financial services as the banks, but at a fraction of the cost. 1st and 2nd mortgages, student loans, personal loans, auto loans and credit cards.

� You are a member � not just a customer!

� Discover the difference of Chicago Municipal Employees Credit Union today! To become a member go to:
www.cmecuonline.org

Chicago Municipal Employees Credit Union �
Chicago�s Credit Union since 1926!http://www.cmecuonline.org/

We love to hear from our riders!
Send letters, questions or feedback

E-mail: onthebilevel@metrarr.com.
Snail Mail: On the Bi-Level, Metra, 547 W. Jackson, Chicago, IL 60661-5717

We can not guarantee all letters will be printed or answered. Please keep letters to less than 200 words and include your first name, hometown and what line you ride. (Names are not required but strongly encouraged.) We reserve the right to edit letters for length and grammar.

On the Bi-Level is published by Metra's Media Relations Department.

You are receiving this email because: 1.) You're an awesome customer of Metra or 2.) You subscribed via our website. Want to be removed? No problem, click here.

� 2015 Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority

View this email in your browser

Metra Monthly Commuter Newsletter January/February 2020

Metra to start fare validation initiative

In the coming weeks, Metra customers are going to notice some stepped-up efforts by Metra staff to validate fare collection, including new signs and the use of Metra Police to check customers for appropriate tickets and potentially cite those without them. We�d like to explain what we are doing and why. State law requires the RTA region to fund half of its operations through system-generated revenue, mostly fares, and Metra therefore has a responsibility to collect every fare.

Animated series explains service disruptions

There�s no denying that delayed trains are frustrating for everyone. Issues that affect service can spring up just about anywhere, stopping or slowing trains and resulting in minor or significant delays. Metra understands that some of the frustration customers experience, beyond the delay itself, is not knowing what is being done to get trains back on the move. To help alleviate some of this frustration, Metra created a new animated series called Service Disruptions Explained. The series, which launched this month, intends to better explain what happens behind the scenes to get trains moving again.

Thank you Metra riders

Thanks to Metra riders� generosity, the 2019 U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots charity drive was a resounding success.

POSITIVE VIBES

I�d like to send out a huge THANK YOU to UP North Conductor Brennan for always delivering top-notch service to his riders. In the past, there was a conductor who would shake his head or roll his eyes or give riders a piece of his mind anytime they didn�t have their tickets ready when he approached them. Although I was never one of the unprepared, I noticed how uncomfortable it would make the riders. His attitude was toxic and I dreaded the ride home because of him. Conductor Brennan has so much patience and always has a smile on his face constantly greeting and thanking his riders. What a breath of fresh air!! Patrons are always smiling when they see him coming because he just oozes kindness. I wish all the conductors could be this nice because it would certainly make riding the Metra such a better experience.

C.R.

Thank you for sharing your experience with Conductor Brennan. It�s amazing how a positive attitude can change the commuting experience for the better.

PHONE RETURNED
To the commuter who found my cellphone on Dec. 5 and turned it in, THANK YOU! Everyone told me it was long gone, and you chose to turn it in. Wishing you all good things.

C.D.

Our customers restore one�s faith in humanity on a regular basis. What�s amazing is how many items end up in our Lost and Found offices that are never claimed. Always check there.

SEATS NOT FOR FEET

I am originally from Europe, used to public transportation, and have taken the train for years from Hinsdale to Union Station and back. I do wear good clothing and am concerned when passengers rest their shoes on the seats. A few times already I had to send the clothing to the cleaners as it got soiled sitting on a soiled seat. Very few conductors do care and ask the passengers not to put their feet on the seats. Most of them, however, do not care. It would be a help to the conductors if there was a sign �no feet on the seats� then they would have a reason to point it out. You are publishing the intent to enlarge the signs for Quiet Cars, so why not deal with the above problem as well. In the U.S., residents are very hygiene conscious, but I guess they do not realize where the soles of their shoes have been while resting them on the seats.

K.S.

This is a perennial problem that we�ve addressed multiple times, and it seems to fall on deaf ears. So once again Metra riders, we realize that you want to kick back after spending your day trudging through the Loop, but no one � not even you � wants to sit in what those walked through, so keep your feet on the ground where they belong! A few years back, we did an onboard courtesy campaign that included a series of posters calling out common customer misbehaviors. Is it time to revive the campaign?

PETERSON RIDGE

When is the proposed station on the UP North Line at Peterson Ridge going to be built?

D.J.

We expect that project to be out for bid shortly, if it isn�t by the time this is printed. Our goal is to award the construction contract this spring and start construction this summer. Thanks for your patience - this had been held up by funding issues that are now resolved.

Last Chance to Take Metra's Railcar Survey!

Metra wants your input on the amenities that you would like to see in new railcars that we are planning to purchase. We've created a survey that allows customers to say which amenities are most important to them. Metra will use your feedback as it negotiates with the manufacturers to design the best possible railcar. But hurry! The survey closes on Jan. 31.

Full story

Safety Contest Deadline Extended!

The deadline to enter Metra�s 14th Annual Safety Poster and Essay Contest has been extended to Friday, Feb. 7, 2020. Encourage your child to create a poster or write a short essay about why it�s important to �Obey the Signs� when near railiroad tracks or crossings. First-Place winners will receive an iPad.

Full story

UP Begins repairs to West Line Bridges

Repairs to a bridge over the Des Plaines River between Maywood and River Forest may delay Union Pacific West Line trains by up to 10 minutes for a four-week period from Monday, Jan. 27 through Sunday, Feb. 23. The work will reduce rail traffic from three tracks to two tracks on the UP West Line between River Forest and Bellwood and require lower operating speeds through the construction zone.

Full story

Read More in the Metra Newsroom

Now until Feb. 9

Chicago Restaurant Week
Chicago Restaurant Week is back with nearly 400 eateries offering dining deals from Jan.24 through Feb. 9. Chicagoans can cash in on special prix-fixe menus for brunch and lunch ($24) and dinner ($36 and/or $48). With two weeks to chow down, there's plenty of time to check out some of the best restaurants in Chicago. For more information, click here.

Now until March 8

Skating at Millennium and Maggie Daley Parks
Make the most of the winter weather and skate under the Chicago skyline at the Millennium Park rink or enjoy skating the ribbon at Maggie Daley Park. Admission is free. Skate rentals range from $13 to $15. For more information, click here.

Feb. 2

Chinatown's Lunar New Year Parade
Celebrate the Year of the Rat in Chinatown at the neighborhood's official Lunar New Year parade. The colorful procession begins at 24th Street and Wentworth Avenue, traveling north to Cermak Road. For more information, click here.

Feb. 8 - 17

Chicago Auto Show
The 112th annual Chicago Auto Show, the nation's largest, roars back to McCormick Place to showcase the latest and greatest developments in the world of automobiles. Manufacturers trot out their newest models, and accessories as well as interactive installations that allow you to get behind the wheel�either physically or virtually. For more information, click here.

Feb. 8 - March 22

Chicago Botanic Garden Orchid Show
Need a break from winter? Head to the North Shore for the Chicago Botanic Garden's annual orchid show, where more than 10,000 blooms will brighten your day. For more information, click here.

Feb. 13 - 23

Chicago Theatre Week
This 11-day celebration of Chicago's vast theater scene returns for its eighth year with more than 100 productions at institutions throughout the city. With dozens of dramas, comedies, ballets and musicals to see, there's something for everyone. Patrons can catch productions at the deeply discounted rate of $15 or $30 (or less, in some cases). For more information, click here.

Feb. 14 -16

All-Star Game Weekend
A weekend of events culminating in the 2020 NBA All-Star Game at the United Center. While tickets to the actual game may be hard to come by, the NBA Crossover event at Navy Pier is open to the public. NBA players and legends will be making appearances. For more information, click here.

Feb. 19

Metra Board Meeting
The monthly meeting of the Metra Board of Directors will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the 13th floor board room of Metra headquarters, 547 W. Jackson. Go here to see the agenda two days before the meeting and a webcast the day of the meeting.

ATTENTION METRA
EMPLOYEES AND RIDERS!

All METRA employees and riders are automatically eligible for membership in the Chicago Municipal Employees Credit Union (CMECU)! Founded in 1926, it is the oldest credit union in the State of Illinois!

� CMECU is a not-for profit cooperative, we return profits to members in the form of lower fees on loans and higher return on savings - �People Helping People�

� We offer the same types of loans and financial services as the banks, but at a fraction of the cost. 1st and 2nd mortgages, student loans, personal loans, auto loans and credit cards � We are lending!

� You are a member � not just a customer!

� Discover the difference of Chicago Municipal Employees Credit Union today! To become a member go to:
www.cmecuonline.org

Chicago Municipal Employees Credit Union �
Chicago�s Credit Union since 1926!http://www.cmecuonline.org/

We love to hear from our riders!
Send letters, questions or feedback

E-mail: onthebilevel@metrarr.com.
Snail Mail: On the Bi-Level, Metra, 547 W. Jackson, Chicago, IL 60661-5717

We can not guarantee all letters will be printed or answered. Please keep letters to less than 200 words and include your first name, hometown and what line you ride. (Names are not required but strongly encouraged.) We reserve the right to edit letters for length and grammar.

On the Bi-Level is published by Metra's Media Relations Department.

You are receiving this email because: 1.) You're an awesome customer of Metra or 2.) You subscribed via our website. Want to be removed? No problem, click here.

� 2015 Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority

To view this email as a web page, go here.

Schedule changes coming to
Metra Electric

Public input requested about proposed changes due to Positive Train Control

Metra has unveiled proposed revisions to its Metra Electric Line schedule and has asked its riders for feedback. The new schedule includes changes made necessary by the implementation of the new Positive Train Control (PTC) safety system.

The proposed changes will mostly affect trains arriving or departing from Millennium Station during rush hour periods from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. As part of the schedule adjustments, Metra is proposing other changes, including new stopping patterns.

Metra is seeking customer feedback on the proposed new schedule, which can be viewed at metrarail.com and is being distributed on Metra Electric trains and at Millennium and Van Buren Street stations. Please review the new schedule and provide feedback via an online survey at www.metrarail.com/Electric2020 until March 1. Metra may revise the proposal based on feedback, with a goal of implementing the new schedule later in the spring.

Some of the major changes include:

Dividing the suburban part of rush hour schedules into trains serving two groups of stations instead of the current three groups. Many trains will make more stops and train runs will take slightly longer. The size of trains will be adjusted to account for additional customers.
The addition of a daily midday outbound suburban express train
Cross-platform transfers to and from express trains for Blue Island branch riders during inbound and outbound peak periods
Improved South Chicago branch service during off-peak times
Minor adjustments to off-peak train departures

PTC is a federally mandated safety system that will automatically stop a train if the engineer fails to obey a signal or exceeds the speed limit. The system integrates GPS, trackside sensors and communications units, onboard computers and Metra�s centralized train dispatching system. Together, these components track trains and monitor the crew�s compliance with speed restrictions and signals. Although it can�t prevent all accidents, PTC increases safety by preventing train-to-train collisions, unauthorized entry by trains into work zones and derailments due to speeding or moving through misaligned track switches.

Under PTC, the crew of a train must initialize the system before each individual run. This includes entering information about the size and makeup of the train (because its weight affects its stopping distance) and any other details about conditions along the route (such as work zones or speed restrictions) that could affect the safe operation of the train. The initialization process takes about six minutes.

To handle as many passengers as it does in every morning rush period, Metra must quickly turn trains around at Millennium Station and send them back out to make more inbound trips. The same goes for the evening rush period, as trains complete their trips to the suburbs and turn back to pick up more customers downtown. Metra calls this process �flipping� a train, and it will take longer because of PTC.

To flip a train, the engineer must move from one end of the train to the other, and the crew must clear the train, perform a brake test and conduct a job briefing. With the added task of initializing the PTC system, these �flips� are expected to take more than 10 minutes. On the current Metra Electric schedule, there are 51 trains scheduled to flip in less than 10 minutes, including 23 scheduled to flip in less than 6 minutes. The need to initialize PTC means it will not be possible to operate the same number of trains during rush hour, and so a new schedule is needed.

Metra has tried to create a schedule that minimizes the impact of the reduction of trains, but it is not possible to eliminate that impact. We understand these changes may be an inconvenience to customers, but we have taken and will continue to take steps to limit the inconvenience as much as possible. And customers should know that with PTC operational, their already safe trains will be even safer.

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Metra Monthly Commuter Newsletter May 2020

Touch Less, Pay Less by using Ventra app

to buy new $10 All-Day Pass starting June 1

Metra is launching a new $10 All-Day Pass on June 1 and strongly encouraging customers to buy it in the Ventra app, giving them a "Touch Less, Pay Less" option to ride its trains safely and affordably.

"If you are ready to come back to Metra, we are ready for you," said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. "We know our riders will have concerns returning to public transportation and we want them to know that we are addressing those concerns. We are heavily cleaning and disinfecting trains every day. We also have onboard plans to create social distance and keep people safe. As an example, using the Ventra app to take advantage of this $10 offer will create distance and help save them money."

The All-Day Pass will be good for unlimited rides on any and all Metra lines all day until 3 a.m. the next morning. For anyone travelling downtown from Metra's C zone or farther, the pass costs less than two one-way fares. The All-Day Pass will be sold for at least the next two months. Unused All-Day Passes purchased in the Ventra app will expire seven days after purchase.

Metra will also continue to support doctors, nurses, EMTs, paramedics and other medical personnel on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic by allowing them to ride free on Metra trains for the duration of the state's stay-at-home order. To ride free, medical personnel only need to present a work ID showing that they are employed at a hospital, doctor's office, medical facility or local fire department to a Metra conductor.

Metra has spent recent weeks deep cleaning all cars and developing a new cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting regimen to keep customers as safe as possible on a daily basis. More details about that regimen are forthcoming.

All 11 Metra lines remain in service. However, all lines are using alternative schedules, and customers should check those schedules on metrarail.com before they travel. Metra is prepared to add cars to trains and add trains to the schedules as ridership grows in order to allow for responsible social distancing on trains as much as possible and as long as possible.

Metra also asks all customers to be mindful of the following:

? Please remember to wear a mask or face covering on board trains. Under an executive order from Gov. J.B. Pritzker, face coverings are required in public spaces where social distancing cannot be maintained.

? Please do your best to maintain your distance from other customers and Metra employees on the platforms and trains.

? Please remain in your seat and do not crowd the aisles or vestibules. Metra will give you plenty of time to safely exit the train when it reaches your destination.

We love to hear from our riders!
Send letters, questions or feedback

E-mail: onthebilevel@metrarr.com.
Snail Mail: On the Bi-Level, Metra, 547 W. Jackson, Chicago, IL 60661-5717

We can not guarantee all letters will be printed or answered. Please keep letters to less than 200 words and include your first name, hometown and what line you ride. (Names are not required but strongly encouraged.) We reserve the right to edit letters for length and grammar.

On the Bi-Level is published by Metra''s Media Relations Department.

You are receiving this email because: 1.) You''re an awesome customer of Metra or 2.) You subscribed via our website. Want to be removed? No problem, click here.

? 2015 Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority

To view this email as a web page, go here.

Metra''s proposed 2021 operating budget

Metra has proposed a 2021 operating budget of $700 million that does not call for a fare increase or service cuts from present levels, but it will require expenses to be cut by $70 million unless the agency receives additional COVID-related financial assistance. A virtual public hearing about the budget will be held Nov. 5 (see details below) and the Board of Directors will vote on the budget Nov. 13.

Metra is proposing an adjustment to the Weekend Pass. Starting in February, a new Saturday or Sunday Day Pass would be available for $7 and valid only on either Saturday or Sunday. The existing $10 two-day Weekend Pass would be retained, but only on the Ventra app. The validity period for both passes would be changed to 14 days from the current 90-day validity period for the existing Weekend Pass.

Details about the proposed budget can be viewed here.

Metra''s proposed 2021 capital budget

The proposed 2021 capital budget of $386.4 million represents the second year of significant increases in capital funding from Springfield's 2019 passage of a new capital program. More than half of the capital funding will go towards major projects, including:

$69.9 million for locomotive and car rehabilitation.
$61.5 million for new rolling stock.
$12.9 million for bridges.
$47.3 million for stations.
$34.9 million for equipment and vehicles.

The full operating and capital budget document can be viewed here.

Public hearing information

A public hearing for Metra's Preliminary 2021 Operating and Capital Program and Budget will be conducted virtually on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The hearing will be available to the public within Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties through Webex.

Information for members of the public wishing to attend the hearing is below:

https://metrarr.webex.com/metrarr/j.php?MTID=m2cdb991571eb71a7bcc4933eb329b6e3
Meeting code: 173 643 2679
Password: 2021budget

Virtual attendees can also call in to access the hearing via phone. The number is (844) 517-1442, access code 173 643 2679.

Any person may present views orally at the hearing or by submitting written material at any time, but not later than 24 hours after the conclusion of the hearing on Nov. 5, 2020. Written comments via U.S. mail can be sent to the attention of Karen Hullinger, Assistant Secretary to the Commuter Rail Board, Room 1300, 547 W. Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois, 60661. Comments will also be accepted via email to 2021budgetcomments@metrarr.com or faxed to 312-322-7094.

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Metra Monthly Commuter Newsletter March 2020

Changes coming to Metra Electric schedules

Schedules on the Metra Electric Line will be changing this month or next as part of Metra's implementation of the Positive Train Control (PTC) safety system. The new schedules will have the greatest impact on trains arriving at or departing from Millennium Station during the morning and evening rush hour periods.

Metra launches customer satisfaction survey

As part of its commitment to providing safe, reliable and efficient train service, Metra is asking its customers to tell the agency what it's doing right and where there's room for improvement with an online customer satisfaction survey.

Download Metra's COPS app

The safety of our customers is Metra's top priority. For years, transit agencies across the U.S. have used the slogan "if you see something, say something" to encourage public transit riders to report suspicious or suspected criminal activity. Sometimes, however, making a phone call isn't the most efficient or safest way to alert authorities. The Metra COPS app gives our customers another tool to keep our rail system and themselves safe.

Metra teams up with Cook County to promote 2020 Census

Metra and Cook County have teamed up in preparation of the 2020 Census count, unveiling two railcars wrapped inside and out with a "Be Counted" message encouraging participation in the 2020 Census.

A SIMPLE REQUEST

PLEASE. PLEASE. PLEASE. Do NOT spray perfume inside the train cars! And if you are putting on makeup that is mostly powder, PLEASE do not do that either. A lot of riders (both male and female) have allergies, and as soon as you spray one little bit of perfume or start using a powdery makeup, the ventilation system spreads it throughout the entire car often making it difficult to breath for several minutes. I understand riding Metra gives you the extra time you need, but there are a few things you could do at home before getting on the train for the sake of the other passengers.

S.M.

We realize that commuting on Metra allows our riders to relax and perhaps take care of a few things before the work day, but that doesn't mean you get to leave your manners at home. Unleashing chemicals, whether it be perfume, hair spray, deodorant or nail polish in a confined space - especially one shared with others - is the opposite of considerate. But more importantly, as you pointed out, your actions could have serious consequences for someone with allergies or chemical sensitivities. Our advice is to confine the personal grooming to either home or the restroom at work.

NEW CARS/OLD CARS

It's great news to have obtained state funding to buy 200-500 new railcars (boy, that's a bunch of railcars!), but what happens to the railcars that will be taken out of service? There seems to be a lot of salvage value right there that's never talked about. Wow, it seems Metra could be realizing a ton of money from selling the railcars that are currently in use that will be retired. Why is that never part of the conversation, and how does that figure into the budget as a way to reduce ticket prices?

T.R.

Yes, the ability to purchase a few hundred new railcars is very exciting, especially because we'll be able to provide our customers with comfort and more modern amenities. But it's not as easy, or as profitable, as you might think to dispose of old railcars. When the new cars are delivered and we can begin to dispose of our old fleet, we will try to auction off cars and may donate some to museums. Sending a car out to scrap is also not the profit center that your letter envisions. Environmental and liability regulations require significant work to remove certain materials before a railcar can be sent to the scrap yard. Depending on the age of the railcar, these services can cost Metra more than $10,000 per unit, effectively negating any profit. If, however, Metra were to realize any positive return in the sale of retired rail cars, proceeds would go into Metra's general fund.

MONTHLY ON WEEKENDS

I am currently a Monthly Pass holder between two intermediary zones (in this case, zones B to C). It is my understanding that starting in June 2019, monthly pass holders can use their passes to ride on weekends for free, beyond the zones indicated on the trip. So on the weekend, if I am trying to go from zone A to D (or even further) but my monthly pass is only zones B to C, is my trip still free, or would I need to pay any extra and if so, how much? Also, is there any difference if my Monthly Pass is through the Ventra app, as opposed to a paper pass?

D.Z.

Yes!!! Effective June 1, 2019, Metra Monthly Pass holders are able to travel outside the zones indicated on their passes at no additional cost on Saturdays and Sundays. It doesn't matter whether your pass is for travel between zones B and C or zones A and H. Your monthly pass is good for travel anywhere on the system all weekend long. Metra riders with the paper version of the Monthly Pass will only need to show it to the conductor. Customers who purchase electronic passes through the Ventra App will need to display their pass on their phones and then tap the QR code on the screen to show the conductor the ticket's expiration date. That's it. We want more riders to use our system on the weekends and what better way than to make easier for our most loyal customers?

18th STREET CROSSING

Please reopen the grade crossing at 18th St. for Soldier Field shuttle buses. The crossover gets too crowded after games and adds 15 to 30 minutes to the commute.

T.L.

     Sorry, but the decision to keep the crossing closed on game days was made for safety reasons. The 18th Street crossing has never been signalized and was never open to traffic at any time other than on game days. Allowing shuttle buses to use the crossing essentially required the establishment of a track work zone, with Metra personnel on site to control the movement of trains and the shuttles through the area. It was determined there were too many safety risks on a rail line that carries nearly 60 trains on any given Sunday and more than 140 trains on weekdays to continue this practice.

THE RUMOR MILL

      There's a rumor going around among the North Central Service passengers that Canadian National has received approval to double-track portions of the line. Is the rumor true, and if so how will it affect Metra service?

J.C.

We are aware of no such plans for the North Central Service at this time. What you likely heard about are the CN's plans to double-track its Elgin, Joliet & Eastern line from Hoffman Estates to Elgin. This plan was submitted to the Surface Transportation Board last year and there have been multiple articles in the press about community oppostion to the plan. According to CN, this project would help alleviate some conflicts between CN trains and our Milwaukee West Line trains, but it would not directly impact or benefit the NCS.

Celebrate St. Patrick''s Day with Metra

Let Metra be your ride to this year's Chicago St. Patrick's Day and South Side Irish parades. Metra will be adding extra service to each event on Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15, making it easier than ever to give up on fighting traffic and let us do the driving.

Full story

Reverse commute pilot exceeds ridership goal

A two-year reverse-commute pilot project on the Milwaukee District North Line funded by a public-private partnership between Metra and Lake County businesses and governments is already exceeding the ridership goal set for the first year, officials announced on the first anniversary of the service.

Full story

Museum features Metra photographer

Do you enjoy the photography featured on Metra's Monthly passes? If you do, the Village of Bartlett's Depot Museum has a new photo exhibit for you. "Ticket to Ride: Mark Llanuza's Photos to Metra Monthly Passes."

Full story

Read More in the Metra Newsroom

March 14

Chicago St. Patrick''s Day Parade
Chicago''s annual celebration of its Irish heritage will bring thousands to watch the dyeing of the river and the parade. Metra will be offering extra service on parade day to make getting there even easier. For more information, click here.

March 18

Metra Board Meeting
The March meeting of the Metra Board of Directors will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the 13th floor board room of Metra headquarters, 547 W. Jackson. Go here to see the agenda two days before the meeting and a webcast the day of the meeting.

March 18-22

Chicago Flower & Garden Show
Mark the arrival of spring in Chicago by heading to Navy Pier for the Chicago Flower & Garden show. Visitors can sit in on instructional seminars, walk through manicured gardens, purchase plant-related souvenirs at the market and obtain culinary tips from chefs at cooking demonstrations. Click here for more information.

March 20-22

Chicagoland Family Pet Expo
In its 28th year, this popular exposition features a wide variety of vendors and pet-related products. Metra''s Union Pacific Northwest Line trains provide a direct connection to the Arlington Park Racecourse where the event is being held. Click here for more information.

ATTENTION METRA
EMPLOYEES AND RIDERS!

All METRA employees and riders are automatically eligible for membership in the Chicago Municipal Employees Credit Union (CMECU)! Founded in 1926, it is the oldest credit union in the State of Illinois!

. CMECU is a not-for profit cooperative, we return profits to members in the form of lower fees on loans and higher return on savings - "People Helping People"

. We offer the same types of loans and financial services as the banks, but at a fraction of the cost. 1st and 2nd mortgages, student loans, personal loans, auto loans and credit cards - We are lending!

. You are a member - not just a customer!

. Discover the difference of Chicago Municipal Employees Credit Union today! To become a member go to:
www.cmecuonline.org

Chicago Municipal Employees Credit Union -
Chicago's Credit Union since 1926!http://www.cmecuonline.org/

We love to hear from our riders!
Send letters, questions or feedback

E-mail: onthebilevel@metrarr.com.
Snail Mail: On the Bi-Level, Metra, 547 W. Jackson, Chicago, IL 60661-5717

We can not guarantee all letters will be printed or answered. Please keep letters to less than 200 words and include your first name, hometown and what line you ride. (Names are not required but strongly encouraged.) We reserve the right to edit letters for length and grammar.

On the Bi-Level is published by Metra''s Media Relations Department.

You are receiving this email because: 1.) You''re an awesome customer of Metra or 2.) You subscribed via our website. Want to be removed? No problem, click here.

? 2015 Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority

Dear Customer,

Metra is committed to providing safe, reliable and efficient train service. To evaluate our service to you and other customers, we want to provide an opportunity to rate your satisfaction with Metra on various performance measures by participating in our online Customer Satisfaction Survey.

If you recently completed this survey through another Metra email or communication channel, please do not complete it again.
To begin the survey, please click the button or use the link below:

Survey link: https://rsgsurvey.com/metra?password=gqn8ytqr

Thank you for your participation and for riding Metra.

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Start Searching Today!

metra rail Sign Up Information

Email Address

Post-Registration Data

Validation

Membership Emails

Metra to offer free rides New Year�s Eve

Help Metra order new railcars by responding to web survey

How we prepare for the cold and snow

Metra to start fare validation initiative

Animated series explains service disruptions

Thank you Metra riders

Schedule changes coming to Metra Electric

Public input requested about proposed changes due to Positive Train Control

Changes coming to Metra Electric schedules

Metra launches customer satisfaction survey

Download Metra's COPS app

Metra teams up with Cook County to promote 2020 Census

Comments about metrarail

Recently added URLs

Top 10 Search URLs

Top 10 Categories

Schedule changes coming to
Metra Electric