Metra
Advocating for Reduced Transit Fairs for Low-Income Riders in Chicago
A new report by the Active Transportation Alliance builds the case for reduced transit fares on all three transit systems in the Chicago region.
Another New Commuter Rail Station for Chicago's South Side Transit Deserts
A South Side Chicago neighborhood with a history of neglect and disinvestment will soon be adding a new train station on the regional commuter system.
What's Hindering Regional Transportation in the U.S.?
Public transportation that serves regional areas makes sense, but the United States has been slow to pursue strategies and policies that foster these types of systems.
Editorial: Cheaper Metra on the South Side Would Ease Chicago's Transit Inequities
The Red Line extension to 130th is still unfunded and a universal Chicago fare card hasn’t materialized, but in the immediate term, the Metra can run more trains and charge lower fares to help get the South Side moving.
Chicago's Metra Will Build a 95th Street Station
Metra’s Electric line is one of the few places where Chicago’s commuter rail owns the tracks. Transit advocates have lobbied for years for the service to be run more like traditional public transit.
Op-Ed: Metra Expansion May Encourage Sprawl
The $45 billion transportation bill approved by the Illinois Legislature ended up including more public transit funding than it originally offered, but a Kendall County Metra project raises questions.
New Policy Would Likely Close Commuter Rail Stations on the South Side of Chicago
A new station evaluation policy, expected for adoption by the Metra Board of Directors in May, would make it easier to shut down "underperforming" stations.
Polar Vortex Shuts Down Detroit's Q-Line Streetcar
Other polar vortex-related transit news included fire on the tracks in Chicago.
Construction to Begin on Two Metra Stations in Libertyville
Metra is revamping to the downtown train station in the Chicago suburb of Libertyville.
Illinois gets Federal Grant to Reduce Railroad Delays on Chicago's South Side
The Federal government has awarded Illinois $132 million for new infrastructure around 75th street and 71st streets.
Chicago's Metra Will Try One-Day Pass
Along with a scheme to simplify fares, Metra will roll out a one-day pass and a set of federally mandated safety updates.
Metra's Hyde Park Plan Leaves Too Many Behind
Chicago's Metra has the resources to create frequent transit for a large swath of the South Side. Instead, their plan supports only the most fortunate along that train line.
Metra Proposes Frequency Changes for the South Side of Chicago
Overall, Chicago's regional train service the Metra has been losing ridership, however, Hyde Park neighborhood stations have seen some growth.
A Simple Idea to Fix Transit on Chicago's South Side
On Chicago's massive south side, fixing transit means working on more than just CTA trains.
Chicago Moves Forward on O'Hare Express
This month, the city of Chicago will choose a team of engineers to brainstorm an express rail line to O'Hare Airport. The plan has come under criticism for diverting future resources away from transit in low-income areas.
Early Reviews Are In: Chicago's New Transit App Makes it Easy to Pay the Fare
The Ventra app hits the streets—or the tracks, perhaps—this week. Steven Vance of Streetsblog Chicago has already tested the new tool.
Mobile Phone-Enabled Train Tickets Coming to Chicago's Metra
Mobile phones are doubling for tickets onto airplanes and into concerts all over the world. Why not commuter trains too?
Chicago Metra Rail Struggles with High Rates of Suicide
Chicago's Metra commuter rail service has a big problem on its hands: Distressed people are resorting to using train tracks to end their lives at a higher rate than in other major cities. Would partnering with a suicide-hotline agency stem the tide?
Could Chicago Transit Agencies Soon Have to Compete for Funding?
Chicago's Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is considering overhauling how it distributes funds to the area's three transit operators: the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus and rail system, Metra commuter rail, and Pace suburban bus system.
Agency Says $500,000 Survey is Worth the Cost
In Chicago, the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is willing to spend $500,000 to survey their riders to see how the public feels about the bus and train services.
Pagination
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
KFH Group Inc.
Greater Baltimore Committee
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello