RESIDENTS, METRA AND COOK COUNTY WORKING TOGETHER TO IMPROVE METRA

Metra is working with Cook County to create a pilot program that would make Metra and CTA fares equal and allow Metra riders to transfer to CTA. Photos courtesy of Metra
Metra is working with Cook County to create a pilot program that would make Metra and CTA fares equal and allow Metra riders to transfer to CTA. Photos courtesy of Metra

Residents, Metra and Cook County working together to improve Metra

BY TIA CAROL JONES

The Coalition for a Modern Metra Electric believe they have an idea to boost ridership: Improve Metra Stations and reduce fares to CTA levels.

The Metra Electric Line begins at the Millennium Park Station, at Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street, and extends to the University Park Station, at University Parkway and Governors Highway.

Andrea Reed is part of the Greater Roseland Chamber of Commerce and has been working on the issue for five years. She said her counterpart, Linda Thisted, has been working on the issue for 10 years. Reed also has been doing some work to get the Red Line extended past 95th Street.

“We’re actually doing some work and getting things done as far as Metra is concerned,” she said. “We look at Metra as being an underutilized resource that is ready to go.”

Reed said when the group looked at Metra, they looked at the conditions of the stations and the constant increase in the fares.

“The conditions of the stations are deplorable,” she said.

Reed said Metra heard the concerns of the coalition and Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle did a mobility study. The study resulted in $30 million allocated for a pilot program and found that improvements would increase ridership.

The pilot program would not only look at lowering fares, but also look at letting riders on the Metra Electric line and Rock Island line transfer to CTA at a discount.

“We’re looking at it as a win-win for the City of Chicago,” Reed said. “The city can meet the needs of residents by providing affordable transportation.”

Michael Gillis, spokesperson for Metra, said Metra is enthusiastically working with Cook County on the proposed pilot program to make it happen.

“We are at the table. We’re trying to come up with the best way to structure a pilot that best meets Cook County’s goal and how best to implement that,” Gillis said. And, he did acknowledge there are lots of complications and there is currently not a timeline in place.

Illinois State Representative Marcus C. Evans, Jr. sponsored HB3966. It was co-sponsored by State Representatives Kelly M. Burke and Will Davis. The bill would amend the Regional Transportation Authority Act and make fares for the Metra Electric and Rock Island line equal to CTA fares, as well as make transfer fees from Metra, PACE and CTA equal.

On Tuesday, Feb. 4, it was assigned to the Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges Committee. If the bill passes, it would take effect on Monday, June 1.

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