Providing service to and from downtown Chicago with 243 stations over 11 routes totaling nearly 500 route miles. Monitored M-F 7am-6pm. Emergency: 312-322-2800
Chicago, IL
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- Followers 30,965
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The delivery system Metra uses for X alerts is not working correctly. Customers should visit metra.com, Ventra App, or Metratracker.com as sources for information about delays and service issues.
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Now that we have your attention, can we get long-term, sustainable funding? The state of Illinois hasn't passed a capital funding bill in a decade, nearly half of our assets are in marginal or worn condition, and our railcars and locomotives are some of the oldest in the nation.
It’s so cold in Chicago, crews had to set fire to commuter rail tracks to keep the trains moving smoothly. abcn.ws/2DHw8Du
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There's nothing like checking the @railstream camera at A2 and seeing Metra running seamlessly through this snowy weather on a Monday morning!
Beat the traffic, no matter the weather, by hopping on Metra. 💯
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When severe cold and winter weather hits, Metra fights it with fire. Get the inside scoop about our switch heaters here: bit.ly/2EObaFc #winter #metra
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Metra charged into a greener future today when the Board of Directors approved a contract to buy zero-emission, battery-powered trainsets. Metra will be one of the first in the nation to operate this innovative technology.
Read more here: bit.ly/3SHx3t4
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Introducing the latest addition to Metra's fleet: the SD70MACH. This locomotive, designated as the first in our 500-series locomotives, was painted in heritage RTA colors to celebrate the upcoming 50th anniversary of its formation. 1/2
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We are happy to report that in the overnight hours a tentative agreement was reached between freight railroads and their unions, averting a strike that could have started tonight and halted service on the BNSF and three Union Pacific lines.
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Say goodbye to waiting to board. Introducing Metra's V.I.P. access ticket. Elevate your Metra experience with: priority boarding, complimentary slippers, updated lounge/bar car, improved amenities and so much more!
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Want a chance to go to @Lollapalooza? Follow @Metra & Retweet this post for a chance to win! Ends 7/15 #Metrapalooza
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Congratulations to Metra's most recent class of Conductor Graduates. We are proud to have you on our team, serving our communities, and keeping our commuters safe.
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Metra on Saturday, Nov. 7, will introduce its first Bike Car, answering the call from bike enthusiasts to have more room for bicycles on its trains. It will be deployed on the @metraMDN as part of a pilot program that will last into the spring of 2021: bit.ly/3p18KGV
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Metra today revealed Locomotive 104 in a new paint scheme. This paint scheme honors the City of @Chicago, in which Metra has close to a third of its stations. 1/2
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Metra today made permanent a COVID-era policy that allows bikes on all trains, and said it was making room for additional bikes by installing new racks on its railcars. View the news release here: metra.com/newsroom/metra-all…
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Last year, Metra, @RTA_Chicago and our sister agencies @PaceSuburbanBus and @CTA identified a strategic plan to provide reliable, competitive transit service for Chicago and NW IL. You can read it here: bit.ly/2Tojq2b
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Metra is significantly boosting weekend service on the BNSF Line, adding trains on Saturdays and even more on Sundays to create the same schedule for both weekend days. There will also be weekday changes on the new schedule, which starts on April 29. metra.com/newsroom/metra-boo…
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Today is Metra's 39th birthday! On June 8th, 1984, the commuter rail division of the newly formed RTA held its first meeting and began operating passenger service across the six-county Chicagoland region.
The best way to celebrate with us? Hop onboard for a ride! 😄 🎉
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Doctors, nurses, EMTs, paramedics and other medical personnel on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic will now be able to ride free on Metra by showing their work ID to a Metra conductor. View the news release here: bit.ly/399OIkh
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For the safety of the public and our employees, and because of municipal restrictions that are limiting the ability of our workers to reach job sites, Metra is suspending all service on Monday, June 1. We will provide updates on Monday about Tuesday service.
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Introducing Metra's latest heritage locomotive: Locomotive 90 honoring the Chicago and North Western. Metra is proud of its C&NW heritage and we're honored to celebrate its continued legacy on the three Union Pacific lines.
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The @ChicagoSky and Metra today announced a new partnership that solidifies Metra as the team’s “Official Transit Provider.”
Read more: bit.ly/3AupHUc
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We're excited to announce that starting Feb. 1st, Metra will be making permanent a COVID-era bike policy which allows bikes on ALL trains and will be adding more room for bikes by installing bike racks.
Learn more about the new bike policy here: lnkd.in/gFQnxdwp
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🚨Attention: our Train Reporting and Customer Communications (TRACC) center is experiencing an outage. As a result, train tracking and communication about delays and track changes are unable to be sent. Train crews have been notified. Please use caution if crossing the tracks.
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That feeling of stepping off your Metra train after a work day, knowing you didn’t have to spend a minute stuck in traffic? Like finding a pot of gold.
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We want to give a big shoutout to Michelle and Kenny, our amazing Metra fans from Edison Park! They just shared their First Look pictures with us, and we couldn't be happier to be a part of their love story.
Congratulations! Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness together!
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More information about our switch heaters: metrarail.com/about-metra/ne…
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🚨 STARTING TOMORROW, AUGUST 12 - 30: Metra will offer hourly shuttle trains on the North Central Service Line during the Democratic National Convention that will whisk conventioneers and others between O’Hare International Airport and Chicago Union Station in about 35 minutes.
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Metra today started the rollout of metratracker.com, a new real-time train-tracking website that lets customers see precisely where their trains are and when they will reach their stations. View the news release here: metra.com/newsroom/metra-beg…
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We're here for you, Jerry. Schedules: bit.ly/3yVKIkA
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Metra will be putting its prototype Café Car into service this fall, rotating it across most of its busiest lines and stations and asking riders to take a survey about whether they like the concept. The specific schedule for each line will be posted at metra.com/CafeCar.
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But these plans are only actionable with stable, reliable funding. While Metra will continue to make the case for additional funding, we need help from those who rely on our service to help get the message out.
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One way you can help is by contacting your elected officials and asking for their support of our region’s transit system. You can look up your state and local representatives here: commoncause.org/find-your-re…
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Metra has also unveiled $5B plan for capital improvements– which includes a bridge at A-2 that would eliminate many switch issues for seven of our rail lines. metrarail.com/sites/default/…
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Special shout out to @WorkingBikes for loaning our team some non-standard bikes to test loading and unloading with onboard! These tests allowed us to determine maximum measurements for specialty bikes and how they may best be loaded and unloaded on our trains.
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Metra trains are geared up and ready to get you to the party safely. Free rides New Year's Eve after 6:00 PM. Be safe and have a great night. 🎊🎉🚆🕛🎉🎊
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Metra will receive the largest discretionary grant in its history – a $169.3 million federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) grant – to buy battery-powered, zero-emission trainsets. View the news release here: metra.com/newsroom/metra-rec…
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Congratulations to Rick Hodges who has retired today after 43 years of service on the railroad. Mr. Hodges started working for the Milwaukee Road in June 1977. In 1982, he joined the RTA where he worked his entire career on the Milwaukee West division.
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The question on everyone's mind. What would it take to offer more frequent service to O’Hare all the time? Well, this is a question we are still trying to answer. In the meantime, here are just a few reasons: metra.com/can-ohare-service-…
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The four rail lines that serve the northern part of the region – the UP North, Milwaukee District North, North Central Service and UP Northwest may be a fast, reliable, and affordable alternative for Kennedy and Edens drivers. Find your schedule here: ridertools.metrarail.com/map…
Chicago: A major rehab of the Kennedy Expwy (Interstate 90/94) between the Edens Junction (I-94) and Ohio Street begins March 20.
The overall project will be done in three stages over three construction seasons. Learn more about the project: illinois.gov/IISNews/26118-M…
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Metra’s newest station at Peterson/Ridge in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood is set to open to the public on Monday, May 20. On the same day, Metra will add four trains to weekday service on the UP North Line. View the news release here: metra.com/newsroom/north-lin…
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Today, David Dennison, an engineer on the Metra Electric and last of the prior-righted engineers from the Illinois Central, celebrated his final run. (1/2)
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For the first time in Metra's history, train rides in all zones are FREE this weekend, February 16th and 17th!! From museums to plays, concerts to restaurants, there is no shortage of activities across Chicagoland. Where will you go on Metra? #WeekendsOnTrack
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History in the making 🚂! The wait has paid off. Peterson/Ridge Station is finally open. The atmosphere was breathtaking as the first train made its stop. Make sure to grab a camera and check it out because this station is a sight to behold 😁📸. #Metra #Chicago #trainstation
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Today, Metra celebrates 37 years serving the Chicago region. We give our immense gratitude to the countless passengers who have ridden with us for decades, and we welcome aboard those just starting to ride for their first time. 📸 : Mark Llanuza, Marshall W. Beecher
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🎊 Our birthday is four days away, and what better way to celebrate than giving FREE RIDES! Celebrate our 40th birthday and travel to your destination free of charge. A must for the weekend.
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Designing a heritage locomotive isn’t about recreating the past but honoring and preserving history while merging it with the new. Read more about what went into designing Locomotive 90, honoring the Chicago & North Western, on The Signal: bit.ly/2SuI2Yf
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Metra will not raise fares in 2020, the second year in a row we have not asked customers to pay more. Thanks to the new state capital program, we will budget nearly $2.6 billion for capital work from 2020-2024. View the news release here: bit.ly/2NXqram
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Meet our newest heritage unit! Locomotive 211 honors the CB&Q (the predecessor to today BNSF’s line) and its E-series locomotives, which ushered in the diesel era on its suburban commuter operation in the 1950s.
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It's not worth it. It's not worth it. It's not worth it. #DontBeThisGuy #SeeTracksThinkTrain @olinational
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A message to passengers from CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski regarding COVID-19: bit.ly/2TCAjZy
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Metra is cancelling all trains scheduled to arrive downtown or leave downtown after 3:00 p.m. today.
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This past Monday, June 30th, a decades-long Metra rider celebrated his retirement with a very special ride home. 🎉
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It is understandable fewer people choose to ride Metra when half of our assets are in marginal or worn conditions. A significant number of our railcars and locomotives are eligible for Medicare; as a result, the system is increasingly becoming unreliable by the day.
The past year has been rough for @metra, with aging infrastructure contributing to many of the problems. It's time for Illinois to get real about properly funding transit, which is crucial to our state's economy. chi.streetsblog.org/2019/03/…
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Given Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s announcement, starting immediately, masks will be welcome but not required while traveling on Metra. They remain an important preventive measure against COVID-19. 1/2
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Though our latest honorary loco was planned months ago, it seems only fitting that it is completed during such a difficult time. It’s a reminder that we’re stronger together, even when we have to stay separated. We are proud to honor the state of Illinois and the region we serve.
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In the last four years, fare increases generated $177.4 million in new money. In that same time, we’ve paid $228 million for a new cost, the federally mandated Positive Train Control, and had $264 million in state capital funding cut.
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Due to the forecast for increasingly hot weather in the Chicago region, it will be necessary for Metra to operate trains at reduced speeds. When temperatures exceed 95 degrees, Metra is required to reduce train speed by 10 mph to compensate for heat related stress on the tracks.
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Rich in history, 38 years of service. Today we celebrate 38 years as Metra, connecting riders to the people and places that matter most.
Share a shot of your ride to celebrate with us!
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🙌 Cheers to free rides and our history! On Saturday, June 8, a specially equipped railcar filled with interesting items from the history of Metra will debut at LaSalle Street Station from 1 P.M. to 4 P.M.
For more information, please visit metra.com/newsroom/celebrate…
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Metra telecommunications crews worked together with Union Pacific Railroad employees to install new visual information screens and totems at the Clybourn station. These new screens will provide current estimated arrival times for trains and other important information to riders.
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We are so proud and thankful for our employees keeping our system running throughout this pandemic. Earlier today at 2 p.m. we participated in the #SoundTheHorn event and even caught a few transit partners joining in to pay tribute to essential employees across the country.
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#ICYMI Metra Board of Directors today approved the purchase of up to 500 state-of-the-art railcars from @AlstomUSA, opting for new multilevel cars that will be more comfortable, accessible, reliable and safe than the outdated gallery cars they'll replace: bit.ly/3qfYf2f
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Metra is making Chicago area residents an offer that is too good to refuse – a $100 flat-rate “Super Saver” monthly pass valid for unlimited travel throughout the Chicago area. View the news release here: metra.com/newsroom/metra-sel…
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Ever wonder what it was like to take a steam engine home? Grab your ticket now for this one-day only special event! Warning: Excessive soot may be experienced. Inquire within to volunteer for coal shoveling.
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Metra will offer hourly shuttle trains on @metraNCS during the Democratic National Convention that will whisk conventioneers and others between O’Hare International Airport and Chicago Union Station in about 35 minutes. Read more here: bit.ly/3Y4Qxfk
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Conductor Robert Quimby departed inbound out of the Big Timber station for the last time as he retires after 40 years of service. Mr. Quimby started on the Milwaukee Road in July 1980 as a coach cleaner and moved over to Metra after the Milwaukee Road dissolved.
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Metra proudly employs veterans across our agency, which both strengthens the transportation service we provide and supports our mission of providing a life-long career for those who have honorably served our country. ⬇️
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Gentle reminder to take a moment today and appreciate what you have accomplished in the past two years despite all we have been through.
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A potential work stoppage by freight railroad workers, which could possibly begin Friday, Sept. 16, may directly impact Metra’s ability to operate most of its services. View the full message here: metra.com/newsroom/message-c…
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UP Metra conductor JJ Keigley made his last eastbound trip this morning on Train 16 out of Elburn. Mr. Keigley, well known for his friendliness onboard and his Halloween costumes, started on the railroad in 1967, only pausing his service in 1969 after being drafted into the Army.
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Submit your input for Metra's largest proposed change to its fare structure. Our 2024 plan would reduce the number of fare zones to four from 10 and change some of the fare options available. Go to metra.com/2024fareplan for more details on the proposal.
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⚠️ We would like to update its customers in response to the coronavirus pandemic:
We will continue to operate regular weekday schedules at least through Friday (3/20/20). However, as the experts advise, if you don’t have to travel, don’t. Any change will be announced in advance.
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Metra is revising its schedule on the UP Northwest Line (UP-NW) beginning Monday, April 3. The updated schedule adds 12 trains to the line’s weekday service, exceeding pre-pandemic service levels. View the news release here: metra.com/newsroom/metra-exp…
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Metra is significantly upgrading the ventilation system on its railcars with a new three-stage filtration and purification process. The new system is expected to remove and eliminate 99% of all airborne particulates, bacteria and viruses including the virus that causes COVID-19.
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🗣️ Doctors, nurses, EMTs, paramedics and other medical personnel on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic will now be able to ride free on Metra by showing their work ID to a Metra conductor. View the news release here: bit.ly/399OIkh
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Last year, 260,000 riders brought bikes on trains, the highest annual number ever – even higher than pre-pandemic years. To facilitate the growing number of cyclists, and to ease conflicts with ADA customers, Metra is manufacturing and installing new bike racks on its railcars.
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There will be no fare increases for 2019. We will need your help with securing a sustainable capital funding source going forward into 2020 and beyond. If no sustainable funding source materializes, there will be a rapid deterioration of Metra service as it exists today.
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Who else is donning some public-transportation-inspired costumes this year? Have a safe and happy Halloween! Thanks to haasjenifer on Instagram for sharing this photo with us!
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Ikuze! Gomo and his friends are getting ready to venture to @C2E2. With Panels, exhibits, art, and so much more there's no time to worry about traffic! Keep your cool, stay in character, and grab a weekend pass to start your journey to McCormick Place.
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Thank you to our engineers, conductors, mechanical crews, engineering crews and frontline staff who have been absolutely incredible in providing critical service to our communities during the #COVID19 health crisis. #InThisTogether
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Metra is finalizing its exterior paint design for the new Alstom railcars and we want to hear from you! Vote for which of the two designs in the thread below you like best. Voting closes Dec. 9!
77%
Switching Design
23%
Curves Design
2,156 votes • Final results
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After 52 years of service, engineer John Appel made his final run on the MD-N today, marking the end of an era. Appel was the last of the former Milwaukee Road engineers still working at Metra. Read more on The Signal: bit.ly/2ZrGukW
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Metra’s newest station, Peterson/Ridge, has opened on the UP-N Line. The station features amenities including ADA ramps, heated concrete stairs, a warming house and two shelters with on-demand heating. We welcome new and seasoned riders to make #Metra a part of your daily travel!
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We’re cheering you on from #Skytown, @ChicagoSky! Thanks for having Metra be your ride for another season! 🏀 🚆
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You can also stay up-to-date with Metra news by watching our monthly Board of Directors meetings and reading Metra’s news.
Archives/live streams for the Board Meetings are found here: bit.ly/2mb1urj
Metra’s Newsroom: bit.ly/2sW9jG9
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Metra will upgrade the SouthWest Service Line schedule on Jan. 16, increasing the number of weekday trains on the line to 30 from the current 12 as part of a major service redesign pilot. View the news release here: metra.com/newsroom/metra-upg…
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Look at all this floor space, you can do aerobics in here, so many activities! A rare look down a chair-less railcar. Happy Sunday!
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We’re proud of the employees who keep #Metra running through these challenging times. We’d like to share how they make that happen. For those who don't need to travel, #StayHomeSaveLives. For essential workers who rely on Metra, we’re honored to keep #WorkingTogetherForYou.
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One week of Kennedy expressway construction down, ~2 years, 11 months, and 3 weeks to go! Looking for a work-around? Avoid the hassle of lane merging madness by riding with Metra. Check for your train schedule here: metra.com/alternate-schedule…
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Metra is your ride to Wonderland! Purchase your tickets for the @joffreyballet's production of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland at the @LyricOpera, running now through June 22. Metra riders get 10% off tickets.
Learn more and get your tickets: metra.com/wonderland.
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