Metra surveys riders to shape schedule changes

Metra surveys riders to shape schedule changes

By Trains Staff | July 21, 2022

| Last updated on February 23, 2024


Chicago-area commuter agency continues to revise post-pandemic operations

Commuter train passes interlocking tower in golden afternoon light
One of Metra’s three recently rebuilt F59PH locomotives leads an outbound Milwaukee District-West train past Tower B17 in Bensenville, Ill., on June 24, 2022. Metra is surveying passengers for information to shape future schedules. David Lassen

CHICAGO — Commuter rail operator Metra is giving its passengers a chance to shape its schedules.

The agency is asking passengers on all 11 of its rail lines to take a brief survey that will be used in developing future schedule changes and upgrades. It asks about riding habits including points of origin and destination, usual trains used, preferred morning arrival and evening departure times, and use of connecting service, if any. It also asks what scheduling feature could most improve their experience.

The survey is available here.

CEO Jim Derwinski said in a press release that the survey will help Metra “create schedule that do the best possible job of meeting the changing needs” of passengers. “We promise that we will consider every suggestion; however, we cannot promise that we can accommodate every one of them.”

Metra has gradually been restoring service since roughly cutting it in half early in the COVID-19 pandemic. In restoring trains, the commuter operator says it has sought to provide consistent service, create service patterns that are easy to remember, and add express service in peak periods when possible, among other principles.

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