HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
On Monday, December 23, Tuesday, December 24, Monday, December 30 and Tuesday, December 31, Metra will adjust schedules to add early afternoon departures from Metra’s downtown stations to accommodate workers and shoppers leaving downtown early. Some normal rush-hour trains will be canceled on those days.
In addition to the schedule changes for Tuesday, December 31, Metra, for the first time in its history, will offer free rides on all trains arriving at or departing from Metra’s downtown stations after 6 p.m. On some of its lines, Metra will hold the last train of the evening for a later departure time to accommodate customers attending New Year’s Eve festivities downtown. The last trains will depart between 1:10 a.m. and 1:25 a.m., depending on the line. Alcohol will be prohibited on all trains after 7 p.m. on December 31.
Metra will also make special holiday passes available for unlimited travel on December 24-25 and January 1. The December 24-25 pass will cost $10 for unlimited rides and a $5 unlimited ride pass will be available for travel January 1. The regular $10 weekend pass will also be available for December 28-29.
Metra will also expand its Family Fares program on weekdays through January 3 for the holiday break. Family Fares, which are always available for weekend travel, allow up to three children ages 11 and under to ride free with each adult.
Customers are reminded that a Sunday/holiday schedule will be in effect on December 25 and January 1.
CUSTOMER AMENITY SURVEY
Metra is seeking public input from customers regarding the amenities they would like to see on new rail cars the agency plans to purchase. Metra has created a survey that allows customers to say which amenities are most important to them. Metra will use the feedback from the survey as it negotiates with manufacturers to design the best possible railcar.
Do you want to see cupholders? Tray tables? Tables between seats? Dimmable lights? Tinted or untinted windows? Head rests? Arm rests? USB chargers? Interior information screens? Exterior information screens? Wi-Fi? Now’s your chance to let Metra know. The survey is open until mid-January.