All articles tagged with #metra
The Ventra app continues to experience issues despite Metra's confidence in a fix, with ongoing conflicts reported on Monday. Customers have been unable to purchase passes and tickets for CTA, Metra, and Pace services, prompting Metra to advise riders on pending charges and alternative contact options. Additionally, Metra recently implemented a new fare structure.
Metra riders continue to face difficulties purchasing tickets through the Ventra app due to ongoing software glitches, despite the agency's efforts to resolve the issues. The app, which had been down for three days before being restored, crashed again on Monday, causing disruptions for commuters. Metra is working with the app vendor to address the problems, and in the meantime, riders can show their frozen phone screens to conductors as proof of payment.
Metra's Ventra app, which crashed last week, is now back up and running for riders, but the real test will be during Monday's morning commute. The app experienced glitches on Thursday, the first day of Metra's new fare structure, likely due to a spike in users. Metra recommends purchasing tickets in advance and storing them on the app. The new fee structure aims to simplify pricing and attract new riders, with changes including the replacement of the 10-ride ticket with a day pass five-pack available only on the Ventra app.
The Ventra app for purchasing Metra tickets in Chicago is currently down, coinciding with the implementation of Metra's new fare structure, causing inconvenience for commuters on Thursday morning. Metra has notified conductors to allow passengers to ride until the issue is resolved, and updates can be found on metra.com.
A woman was fatally hit by a Metra Rock Island train on Chicago's South Side near South Vincennes Avenue and West 99th Street. The crash occurred in the Washington Heights neighborhood, and the woman's age was not immediately known. The train involved was train #126, and no delays were initially caused due to the crash. Authorities are still investigating the circumstances of the incident.
Metra trains are experiencing extensive delays after a pedestrian was fatally struck by a freight train at the Metra station in Deerfield. The incident occurred when the pedestrian possibly intentionally jumped in front of the train, resulting in the immediate shutdown of the train tracks. The victim's identity is unknown, and an autopsy is scheduled. The Metra Police Department and the Canadian Pacific Police Service are investigating the incident.
A Metra Rock Island train derailed near LaSalle Street, causing service to be halted in both directions. Train No. 704, scheduled to arrive at LaSalle Street Station, will not operate past 35th Street. Delays are expected, and the CTA will honor Metra tickets at 35th Street and for outbound passengers at LaSalle Street Station. No further information has been provided at this time.
Metra service on the Union Pacific-West, Union Pacific-North, and Union Pacific-Northwest lines is resuming with extensive delays following "police activity" at the Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago. Trains were halted earlier due to reports of a witness observing a shell casing, leading to a lockdown. A search of the building was conducted, but no suspect or further evidence was found. No injuries were reported, and no one is in custody.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has announced a deal with Metra and the Union Pacific Railroad to restore passenger rail service between Rockford and Chicago by late 2027. The trip from Rockford to Chicago is expected to take about 95 minutes on a nonstop express train. Roundtrip trains will operate twice a day, and ticket prices are yet to be determined. New train stations will be built in Belvidere and Rockford, and extensive improvements to the Union Pacific Railroad tracks will be funded by $275 million from the Rebuild Illinois capital plan.
Metra, in partnership with the Union Pacific Railroad, will extend the Milwaukee District West Line to provide passenger rail service between Rockford and Chicago for the first time in 40 years. The project, expected to begin in 2027, will include stops in Huntley and Belvidere and is estimated to cost $275 million. The service aims to strengthen northern Illinois by creating jobs, improving connectivity, reducing pollution and traffic congestion, and spurring economic development. Travel time between Chicago and Rockford is projected to be around two hours, with two round-trips per day.
Metra, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Transportation, will restore passenger rail service between Chicago and Rockford by late 2027, with stops in Belvidere and Huntley. The project, funded through the Rebuild Illinois capital program, aims to provide efficient and economical travel, boost economic development, and reduce pollution and traffic congestion. The service will offer two round trips per day, with a travel time of under two hours. Engineering studies will determine the necessary track improvements for increased speeds.
Metra and Union Pacific have reached an agreement to bring passenger rail service back to Rockford, Illinois by late 2027. The service will include stops in Belvidere, Huntley, and Elgin, with a trip from Rockford to Chicago taking approximately 95 minutes. The project, funded by $275 million in Rebuild Illinois capital improvement funds, will involve extensive improvements to Union Pacific-owned tracks. Metra was chosen over Amtrak for the service, and officials believe the new rail service will have a positive economic impact on the region.
Metra, the commuter rail system in Chicago, is proposing a fare structure modification plan for 2024 that would simplify the fare system and encourage ridership. The plan includes discontinuing the 10 fare zones and replacing them with four zones, discontinuing the 10-Ride Ticket and implementing a Bundle of Five Day Passes, and discontinuing incremental fares. Reduced fares for seniors, K-12 students, and active duty military personnel would still be available. Metra is seeking public feedback on the proposed changes.
Metra is considering changes to its fare system, including dividing its lines into four fare zones instead of the current 10, eliminating the pandemic-era $100 monthly pass, and replacing 10-ride passes with a bundle of five-day passes. The changes are aimed at simplifying the fare system for riders and ticket collectors and adjusting to changing rider habits due to the pandemic. Metra hopes the new fares will grow ridership, which is currently at about 51% of 2019 levels on weekdays in May. The agency will solicit feedback from the public before a final proposal is sent to the board for approval.
An Amtrak train derailment at Union Station has caused delays to Metra's Southwest Service and BNSF lines. Some trains may be delayed or canceled, though trains will continue to run on all usable tracks. The incident has caused other tracks near the derailed train to temporarily become unusable until the train can be re-railed. There is currently no further information on the details of the derailment.