Metra this summer will increase weekend service as a pilot project on two lines – Rock Island (Joliet-Chicago) and UP Northwest (Harvard-Arlington Heights-Chicago) – to give customers more options to enjoy all the activities that the Chicago area offers.
“Our goal with these new summer weekend schedules is to give our customers along these lines more options and make it easier than ever to ride Metra to the Chicago area’s many summer events and attractions,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “Combined with our $10.00 Weekend Pass and free trips for children aged 11 and younger, these new schedules make Metra the way to travel on summer vacation.”
In a recent survey of Metra riders, a majority of respondents said they wanted more frequent service, as well as faster service, when asked, “Which improvements would cause you to use Metra on the weekends more frequently?” With the summer schedules, Metra is testing whether offering faster and more frequent service will increase ridership and revenue on weekends.
Schedule Highlights
The new schedules begin the weekend of June 1-2 and end Labor Day weekend.
- On the Rock Island Line, there are six new inbound and six new outbound trains to provide hourly service on Saturdays. There are no Sunday changes.
- On the UP Northwest Line, there are five new inbound and five new outbound trains on Saturdays, and three new inbound and three new outbound trains on Sundays/holidays, including new express trains to and from Arlington Heights.
