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Metra Monthly Commuter Newsletter October 2018
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No Metra fare increase in 2019
Metra will not raise fares in 2019 and will spend the year highlighting the need for more public aid and sounding the alarm about the system’s deterioration and possible downsizing if that aid does not materialize, the Metra Board of Directors unanimously decided at its September meeting. “We ask our passengers and our elected leaders to join with us to tell our story to members of the state Legislature,” said Metra Chairman Norm Carlson. “That story is very simple: Metra needs a sustained capital program to maintain its existing service levels in the 2020s. Otherwise, drastic changes in service levels may be needed to shrink to a size that existing resources can sustain."
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Study shows benefits of Metra to non-riders
As Metra riders, you have firsthand experience with the benefits of commuting by rail. But you may want to share this article with your neighbors who don’t use Metra, but still benefit from its impact on reducing highway congestion. A new study produced by Joseph Schwieterman, director of the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development and professor at DePaul University, looked at Metra’s value to the six-county region it serves.
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CREATE 75th Street project breaks ground
U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao joined Gov. Bruce Rauner, Sen Tammy Duckworth and other elected officials at the event.
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CHOOSE KINDNESS
In September’s Sound Off feature, we read about a woman saving a seat for her husband on an unusually crowded train, even to the extent of denying the seat to a woman with children. When her husband got on he shrugged it off and sat. I believe it is still counted a common courtesy to give your seat to someone who might need it even a little more than you. Some years ago when the retooled Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup for the first time, I was commuting to work on parade day, on the Milwaukee District West Line. That was the most crowded I have ever seen the train, before or since. I had a seat because I get on at the end of the line. After a couple of stops it became apparent this would be an unusual trip, and I started looking for who I could give my upper-deck individual seat to. After a couple more stops, the lower deck was shoulder-to-shoulder packed standing, and a young family got on carrying a small child. I reached over the rail and got the mom’s attention, and she and the child came up to take my seat. Standing nearby (there was nowhere else to go), I was gratified to see her pointing to things out the window and enjoying the ride with the little person. Then I heard behind me “Hey, come sit down!” All the people in the already-full center-facing seats had scootched down to make room for me. Yes, everyone was sitting on the seams. It was one of those moments that makes you appreciate the heart that your fellow humans can show! In the same edition of Sound Off someone wrote about folks lining up to get off the train. I stand up as the train approaches the station because I am uncomfortable after sitting for an hour and 20 minutes (I get on the end of the line, remember?). I usually fall asleep hunched over, and standing up to stretch for the last five minutes of the ride makes me feel better. It’s not a matter of rushing off the train for me; you never know why people do what they do. Cut people some slack; love your neighbor.
Patrick W.
Yes!!! And as your letter illustrates, it really doesn’t take much effort to be kind but it can also be contagious. Thank you for standing up for common courtesy.
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STEP ASIDE PLEASE!
I wish to bring attention to an issue I can’t say I read about often in the Bi-Level: platform etiquette. When I am getting off at a station, I constantly have to deal with people trying to get on the train right away when it gets in. I wish people waiting on the platform would stand back and let riders disembark first! If you’re a passenger on a platform, and the doors close, well, you’ve got another train coming for you later. But if a passenger on board gets stuck behind closing doors and can’t get off, well, they end up missing their stop, connections, and so forth! It’s not like the next station down is convenient to get to where you need to go, especially if it’s in the next zone that isn’t paid for. Two examples in my 20-plus years riding experience are like this. One involved my father, who at the time walked with two canes. He and I were disembarking at a suburban stop, but a pushy man kept trying to shove my dad out of the way instead of sliding over to use an open space on the stairs. And the other time was one March day when I was getting off for work in Irving Park. People were near the edge of the yellow line. When I tried to get off, I ended up having so little room to get by that my foot went off the platform onto the ballast between the platform and the train car, spraining my ankle. That ended up costing me a day and a half of work, an urgent care visit for an air cast and X-rays, and the ability to use a ticket to C2E2 because I couldn’t walk around the hall because of pain. Let’s please bring platform etiquette to people’s attention. Thank you.
Christopher M.
First the power of kindness and now, the power of good manners. The two stories you relate are not the type of behavior anyone should have had to deal with. We understand that commuters are creatures of habit who know the spot on the platform where the doors will open and cluster around it. This behavior does facilitate quick boarding. However, that doesn’t mean that we want you to charge the doors like a Tokyo subway rider. If you’re already standing on the platform when the train arrives, you are going to be able to board. It’s that simple. So please, mind your manners, stand back and allow people to exit the train first.
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Metra launches annual safety contest
For the 13th year, Metra is asking students across the Chicago region to illustrate through posters and essays the importance of safe behaviors near the railroad. This year’s theme is “Use Your Senses.”
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Metra to hold budget hearings
Metra will hold public hearings on the 2019 Operating Budget and 2019-2023 Capital Program on Nov. 1 and Nov. 5 at locations across the six-county region. All hearings will be held from 4-7 p.m.. Click the link below for specific locations and dates.
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Metra celebrates PTC milestone
On Sept. 17, Metra celebrated the completion of the installation of PTC components on all its trains and along its train lines, a major achievement on the way to implementing the federally mandated safety system.
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Monthly Events Calendar October 2018
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Highwood Pumpkin Fest
The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival is the quintessential kick-off event to celebrate the fall season! Be a part of history as they attempt to break the Guinness world record for the most pumpkins carved and lit at once (30,851) and help raise money for Make-A-Wish Illinois. This fun family event is located adjacent to the Highwood Station on Metra's UP North LIne. Go here for more information.
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Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Every October, 45,000 runners hit the streets of Chicago and take a 26.2 mile tour of the city by foot. It may be too late to enter the race (and complete weeks of training), but you can still line the streets and support participants as they make their way through the course. Metra is offering extra service on some of its lines for marathon fans. For more information click here.
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Metra Board Meeting
The October meeting of the Metra Board of Directors will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the 13th floor board room of Metra headquarters, 547 W. Jackson. Go here to see the agenda two days before the meeting and a webcast the day of the meeting.
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Open House Chicago
Want to walk inside some of the city's most amazing structures? The Chicago Architecture Center offers it's annual behind-the-scenes look at more than 250 buildings throughout the city and it's free! Click here for more information.
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Chicago Ideas Week
Learn more about politics, technology, criminal justice, the human body and other interesting topics at the annual Chicago Ideas Week. The week-long event brings together more than 200 thought leaders from a variety of fields for a series of discussions and panels that take place in front of a live audience. Click here for more information and tickets.
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Arts in the Dark Parade
Celebrate Halloween a few days early at the Arts in the Dark parade, which sends a string of performers, puppets, lanterns and floats through the streets of Chicago. This year, the procession moves from Grant Park to State Street where it will be followed by a fun-filled gathering at Millennium Park and then it's off to Maggie Daley Park for trick or treating! Click here for more information.
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Spooky Zoo
This fun and free alternative to trick-or-treating attracts more than 30,000 children and their families to the Lincoln Park Zoo each year. The fall-filled festival features Ferris wheel rides, a corn maze, animal-enrichment activities, live entertainment and a pumpkin carver. Come in costume and prepare to have a ghoulish good time! Click here for more information.
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ATTENTION METRA
EMPLOYEES AND RIDERS!
All METRA employees and riders are automatically eligible for membership in the Chicago Municipal Employees Credit Union (CMECU)! Founded in 1926, it is the oldest credit union in the State of Illinois!
• CMECU is a not-for profit cooperative, we return profits to members in the form of lower fees on loans and higher return on savings - “People Helping People”
• We offer the same types of loans and financial services as the banks, but at a fraction of the cost. 1st and 2nd mortgages, student loans, personal loans, auto loans and credit cards – We are lending!
• You are a member – not just a customer!
• Discover the difference of Chicago Municipal Employees Credit Union today! To become a member go to:
www.cmecuonline.org
Chicago Municipal Employees Credit Union –
Chicago’s Credit Union since 1926!http://www.cmecuonline.org/
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