CHICAGO — Metra is developing a plan to assess stations throughout its system, a process that could ultimately lead to the closure of some little-used stops or additional stations on heavily used sections of the commuter system.
A draft Station Evaluation Policy, presented earlier this month, looks to identify “low-performing” stations, with an eye to developing policies to increase ridership, or a plan of action for stations unable to improve ridership. It is possible some underused stations could be closed, the Daily Herald reports, although that would require a vote by Metra’s board.
At the same time, the evaluation policy sets out a process for considering adding stations, which would require a feasibility study and obtaining funding.
In its initial evaluation, Metra identified 117 stations as “sustainable,” meaning they see more boardings than the weekday median; 93 as underperforming, meaning they see 59 to 423 boardings per day, and 24 as “unsustainable,” seeing less than 10 percent of the weekday median, with 19 to 55 boardings per day.
The policy, if adopted, will require a station assessment every two years. Public comment will be accepted at stationpolicy@metrarr.com through April 15.
