Metra, Serving The Chicago Region

Metra (technically known as the Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation) is the Chicago region’s long established commuter rail system fanning out from the downtown area to serve seven different counties. The system’s history dates back to several Class I railroads that once served the area including the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific (the Milwaukee Road); Illinois Central; Chicago & North Western; and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific (Rock Island). Metra itself began to take shape as early as the 1970s when the Regional Transportation Authority was created to provide assistance to the private railroads operating commuter operations in the region (during this time nearly all of the private freight railroads still provided commuter services to local regions and cities).

It was after the fall of the Rock Island, which was shutdown in 1980 that Metra truly began to take shape. The Rock was helplessly entangled in a drawn out merger decision with the Union Pacific by the ICC causing it to fall deeper into debt and despair until it was no longer of any value to the UP. After the Union Pacific declined its offer to purchase the Rock Island the railroad continued operating for the next few years as management desperately tried to improve the railroad’s situation, even going so far as applying a new sky blue and white image known as “The Rock” and embargoing lines that were earning few profits. The end for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad came in the late 1970s when a labor dispute (caused by management’s unwillingness to give pay increases to its labor force) and resulting strike literally shutdown the company as it was unable to move freight.

In the wake of the Rock Island collapse the RTA acquired ownership of its lines and operations around Chicago and in 1984 Metra was born. Over the years the system continued to grow purchasing the ex-Illinois Central electrified commuter lines in the late 1980s and today operates commuter services over several Class I systems. In total the system operates 11 different corridors fanning out south, north, and west of Chicago that connect suburban areas with four stations; LaSalle Street Station, Union Station, the Ogilvie Transportation Center, and Millennium Station. From north to south the agency’s lines include:

· Union Pacific District North Line: Connects the Ogilvie Transportation Center with Kenosha.

· Union Pacific District Northwest Line: Connects the Ogilvie Transportation Center with Harvard.

· Milwaukee District North Line: Connects Union Station with Fox Lake.

· North Central Service: Connects Union Station with Antioch.

· Milwaukee District West Line: Connects Union Station with Elgin and Big Timber Road.

· Union Pacific West Line: Connects the Ogilvie Transportation Center with Elburn.

· BNSF Railway Line: Connects Union Station with Aurora.

· Heritage Corridor: Connects Union Station with Joliet.

· SouthWest Service: Connects Union Station with Manhattan.

· Chicago to Joliet Suburban Service: Connects LaSalle Station with Joliet.

· Chicago to University Park Suburban Service: Connects Millennium Station with 93rd Street, Blue Island, and University Park.

One of the most popular commuter rail services in the country today, Metra operates nearly 500 route miles, sees nearly 300,000 daily riders, and already has several future expansions on tap to further serve the communities surrounding Chicago. The service states without exaggeration that “On Metra you can reach Chicago's beautiful lakefront, museums, zoos, sporting events, shops and restaurants, concerts, special events, schools and colleges as well as quaint, historic suburbs and small towns. In some cases, Metra can take you practically to the front door…” If you would like to learn more about the Metra or are perhaps considering using the system please click here to visit their website.