Metra schedule changes starting 9/3

Metra schedule changes starting 9/3. The weekend schedule will change, but not for trains stopping in Beverly and Morgan Park. The extra weekend trains that allowed for separation of main line and sub line trains will be gone. This means that trains will be more crowded and more likely to be late.

The one good thing I saw was that they've added a 10 pm outbound train on Saturday nights, eliminating the previous 3+ hour gap between trains.

Click here for more info.

weekend schedule change on the Rock Island

Metra announced that they're adding a few trains to the summer weekend schedule. Unfortunately, this isn't helpful to most of us, because they're added to JOLIET trains, not ours. We still have a 3 hour gap between Saturday night trains (8:10 pm to 11:15 pm), while the new schedule gives Joliet folks THREE trains in a comparable time window (7:40 pm to 10 pm), in addition to the 11:15 train that services all of us. Metra - you suck! Click here to see the schedule on Metra's web site.

Metra alternate schedules for extreme weather

From the Metra web site:

(January 28, 2019) -
Due to the extreme cold weather forecast for the Chicago region this week, Metra will operate a modified schedule on Wednesday, Jan. 30.

Modified schedules for each Metra line can be found here. The schedules are designed to provide adequate service for the predicted ridership. The schedules will also reduce the use of mechanical equipment and the number of moves through switch points on the railroad, thereby minimizing opportunities for service disruptions.

Riders are also advised that travel times will increase due to speed restrictions that reduce maximum speeds for Metra trains to 60 mph when the temperatures drop lower than 10 below zero. Additional schedule changes may be made on Wednesday as conditions dictate and customers should monitor platform announcements and follow service advisories posted on metrarail.com. You can sign up to receive service advisories here.

Thursday’s schedule is yet to be determined, but riders will be notified as soon as the decision is made.

Metra’s intent with this modified schedule is to preserve the safety of our passengers during this extreme weather event. Extra personnel will be deployed throughout the event to address mechanical and track issues.
Here's the alternate schedule for extreme weather. It eliminates a bunch of rush hour trips.
https://metrarail.com/sites/default/files/assets/rev_rid_alternate_01.28.2019.pdf

new Metra Rock Island schedule in effect as of Monday 1/28/19

Thanks to the implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC), we have a new Metra schedule effective next Monday 1/28.  The changes affect both morning and evening rush hour.  I'm sure we'll feel the pain on days when a mechanical issue or other problem causes the train we're waiting for to be delayed getting downtown and then be held a while for PTC system checks before we can head home. For more information about PTC and how it affects the schedule, click here.

One example: at evening rush hour, there's still a 5:05 train leaving LaSalle St. The next train serving Beverly and Morgan Park is now at 5:25, followed by 5:40 and 5:55.

You might want to check out the schedule in advance to figure out what changes you need to make to your daily routine. You may need to leave home a little earlier.