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Metra Monthly Commuter Newsletter                                            March 2019

Metra Board OKs locomotive purchase

    The Metra Board of Directors has approved a $70.9 million contract for the agency to purchase 15 remanufactured locomotives to further its plan to replace its aging fleet. The contract with Progress Rail Locomotives of La Grange also includes options to buy up to 27 additional locomotives, if funding is available.

Metra Electric riders to receive discount on April monthly

    Customers of the Metra Electric Line will receive a 15 percent discount on their monthly pass as compensation for two weeks of recent service disruptions – including all or part of six days without any service – caused by unusually severe weather conditions and damage from the derailment of a CN train.
When the going gets tough: restoring the Metra Electric
      Even the best laid plans were no match for the polar vortex and a freight derailment on the Metra Electric Line. Learn how our crews responded to these extreme conditions and challenges by working around the clock to restore service on the line.

Metra launches new reverse
commute service to Lake County

The first phase of a two-year reverse-commute pilot project began March 4 on the Milwaukee District North Line.
Survey seeks input on the BNSF schedule
      After making changes last year that added time between train runs to accommodate the federally-mandated Positive Train Control (PTC) safety system, Metra and BNSF Railway believe it's possible to make some minor modifications and improve the schedule for our riders. But before we do that, we'd like to hear from our riders and are asking you to fill out a brief online survey.
 HAIRY SITUATION  
    
       Attention to all individuals who hang their long hair over the back of their seat – WE DON’T WANT YOUR HAIR IN OUR FACES!!! We do not care if your hair is washed, soft, etc.;  just keep it in your seat and stop being so RUDE AND SELF-CENTERED! It is a foul and disgusting habit!
Charles
    
      We couldn’t agree more. No matter how beautifully maintained, no one wants someone else’s hair in their face or laps, for that matter. Keep it on your side of the seat please. And if you don’t like leaning back against or sitting on your hair, there are plenty of options for getting it out of the way, including a visit to your favorite hairstylist.

 
 POLAR VORTEX THANKS 
    I travel in and out on the Union Pacific Northwest Line to Crystal Lake business days. Even with all of the delays and upsets due to the polar vortex, Metra operated and got me safely back and forth from the city to Crystal Lake safely and warmly. A special thank you to all of the crew, engineers, conductors, drivers, cleaners and yard personnel for all of their hard work. It’s true. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. It was a brutal few days but thanks for all the hard work.
Fergus

    Thank you for the kind words.The men and women who staff our trains, work in our yards, maintain the track and signals and staff our support facilities literally put their own safety at risk spending long hours, in some cases days, away from their own families to keep the trains running. These days it seems so much easier for people to Monday-morning quarterback each and every situation they encounter, so thank you for your understanding of the challenges we faced and for taking the time to call attention to the hard work and dedication of our railroaders.
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with Metra
Let Metra be your ride to this year’s Chicago St. Patrick’s Day and South Side Irish parades. Metra will be adding extra service to each event on Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17.
Full story
Shamrock Shuffle
 Continue the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day at the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle on Sunday, March 24. The Chicago tradition kicks off the spring running season and Metra trains are a great way to travel downtown.
Full story
Sign up for Service Alerts
Sign up for Metra service alerts delivered to your inbox. Just go to our website, metrarail.com, and select “Sign up” at the top of the webpage. Create a “My Metra” account, select your line, set your preferences and you’re good to go.
Full story
Read More in the Metra Newsroom

March 13-23 

Orchid Show
See 10,000 blooms at The Orchid Show, at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. The garden is easily accessible via Metra. Take the Union Pacific North Line to Glencoe where shuttle buses take you straight to the garden gate.

March 20-24

Chicago Flower & Garden Show
The Chicago Flower & Garden Show features 20 gardens, dozens of vendors, cooking demonstrations, seminars, and a kids’ activity garden at Navy Pier. You can find more information about the show here.

March 20

Metra Board Meeting
The March 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.


 

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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