Metra

Suburban railroad operator in the Chicago metropolitan area, Illinois, US

For other uses, see Metra (disambiguation).

This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (October 2022)

|

Metra

Metra train in Waukegan, IL

Overview
Owner| Regional Transportation Authority (RTA)
Locale| Chicago metropolitan area, United States
Transit type| Commuter rail
Number of lines| 11
Number of stations| 242 year-round, 1 seasonal, 1 under construction
Daily ridership| 158,100 (weekdays, Q1 2025)[1]
Annual ridership| 34,877,600 (2024)[2]
Chief executive| James M. Derwinski[3]
Headquarters| 547 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60661
Website| metra.com
Operation
Began operation| 1984
Operator(s)| Metra, BNSF Railway
Reporting marks| METX
Technical
System length| 487.5 miles (784.6 km)[4]
Track gauge| 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Electrification|

* Metra Electric: Overhead line, 1,500 V DC
* Other lines: none

| System map

Show interactive map

Legend

|  | ‡ = temporarily closed for reconstruction

◇ = under construction

|  |  |

|  |  Kenosha
|  |

|  |

| Wisconsin

Illinois

|  |

|  | Winthrop Harbor
|  |

|  | Zion
|  |

|  | Waukegan
Harvard |  |

|  | North Chicago
Woodstock |  |

|  | Great Lakes
Crystal Lake |  |

|  | Lake Bluff
McHenry |  |

|  | Lake Forest
Pingree Road |  |

|  | Fort Sheridan
Cary |  |

|  | Highwood
Fox River Grove |  |

|  | Highland Park
Barrington |  |

|  |  Antioch
Palatine |  |

|  | Lake Villa
Big Timber Road |  |

|  | Round Lake Beach
Elgin |  |

|  | Washington Street
National Street |  |

|  |  Fox Lake
Bartlett |  |

|  | Ingleside
Hanover Park |  |

|  | Long Lake
Schaumburg |  |

|  | Round Lake
Roselle |  |

|  | Grayslake
Elburn |  |

|  | Prairie Crossing
La Fox |  |

|  | Libertyville
Geneva |  |

|  | Lake Forest
West Chicago |  |

|  | Deerfield
Winfield |  |

|  | Mundelein
Wheaton |  |

|  | Vernon Hills
College Avenue |  |

|  | Prairie View
Glen Ellyn |  |

|  | Buffalo Grove |

| Wheeling |  |

|  |
Prospect Heights |  |

|  | Ravinia
Arlington Park |  |

|  | Ravinia Park

(Seasonal)

Arlington Heights |  |

|  | Braeside
Mount Prospect |  |

|  | Glencoe
Cumberland |  |

|  | Hubbard Woods

[a]

Des Plaines |  |

|  | Winnetka
Medinah |  |

|  | Indian Hill
Itasca |  |

|  | Kenilworth
Wood Dale |  |

|  | Lake Cook Road
Bensenville |  |

|  | Northbrook
Lombard |  |

|  | North Glenview
Villa Park |  |

|  | Glenview
Elmhurst |  |

|  | Golf |

[b]

O'Hare Transfer |  |

|  | Dee Road
Rosemont |  |

|  | Park Ridge
Schiller Park |  |

|  | Edison Park
Belmont Avenue |  |

|  | Norwood Park
Mannheim |  |

|  | Gladstone Park
Franklin Park |  |

|  | Jefferson Park

[c]

River Grove |  |

|  | Morton Grove
Elmwood Park |  |

|  | Edgebrook
Mont Clare |  |

|  | Forest Glen
Mars |  |

|  | Mayfair
Galewood |  |

|  | Grayland
Hanson Park |  |

|  | Healy
Grand/​Cicero |  |

|  | Irving Park
Berkeley |  |

|  | Wilmette
Bellwood |  |

|  | Evanston Central Street
Melrose Park |  |

|  | Evanston Davis Street

[d]

Maywood |  |

|  | Evanston Main Street
River Forest |  |

|  | Rogers Park

[e]

Oak Park |  |

|  | Peterson/​Ridge
Kedzie |  |

|  | Ravenswood

[f]

Western Avenue |  |

|  | Clybourn
|  |

|  |  |

[g]

Ogilvie TC |  |

|  |  Millennium Station

[h]

[i]

Union Station |  |

|  | Van Buren Street

[j]

LaSalle Street |  |

|  | Museum Campus/​11th Street |

| Halsted Street |  |

|  | 18th Street
Western Avenue |  |

|  | McCormick Place
Cicero |  |

|  | 27th Street
La Vergne |  |

|  | 47th Street
Berwyn |  |

|  | 51st–53rd Street
Harlem Avenue |  |

|  | 55th–56th–57th Street
Riverside |  |

|  | 59th Street
Hollywood |  |

|  | 63rd Street
Brookfield |  |

|  | Stony Island

[k]

35th Street |  |

|  | Bryn Mawr
75th Street (Grand Crossing) |  |

|  | South Shore
79th Street |  |

|  | Windsor Park
83rd Street (Avalon Park) |  |

|  | Cheltenham
‡ ~~87th Street (Woodruff)~~ |  |

|  | 83rd Street
91st Street (Chesterfield) |  |

|  | 87th Street
‡ ~~95th Street/​CSU~~ |  |

|  |  93rd Street (South Chicago)

RI Connection (planned)

|  |

|  | 103rd Street (Rosemoor)
Summit |  |

|  | 107th Street
Wrightwood |  |

|  | 111th Street (Pullman)
Ashburn |  |

|  | Kensington/​115th Street
◇ ~~Auburn Park~~ |  |

|  |  Hegewisch
Gresham |  |

|  |

| South Shore Line

to South Bend Airport

Brainerd |  |

|  |
91st Street–Beverly Hills |  |

|  | Riverdale
95th Street–Beverly Hills |  |

|  | 95th Street–Longwood
99th Street–Beverly Hills |  |

|  | Ivanhoe
103rd Street–Beverly Hills |  |

|  | 103rd Street–Washington Heights
107th Street–Beverly Hills |  |

|  | State Street
111th Street–Morgan Park |  |

|  | Stewart Ridge
115th Street–Morgan Park |  |

|  | West Pullman
119th Street |  |

|  | Racine Avenue
123rd Street |  |

|  | Ashland/​Calumet Park
Prairie Street |  |

|  | Burr Oak
Blue Island–Vermont Street |  |

|  | 147th Street
Blue Island |  |

|  | Harvey
Robbins |  |

|  | Hazel Crest
Midlothian |  |

|  | Calumet |

| Congress Park |  |

|  | Homewood
LaGrange Road |  |

|  | Flossmoor
Stone Avenue |  |

|  | Olympia Fields
Western Springs |  |

|  | 211th Street
Highlands |  |

|  | Matteson
Hinsdale |  |

|  | Richton Park
West Hinsdale |  |

|  |  University Park
Clarendon Hills |  |

|  | Oak Lawn
Westmont |  |

|  | Chicago Ridge
Fairview Avenue |  |

|  | Worth
Willow Springs |  |

|  | Palos Heights
Lemont |  |

|  | Oak Forest
|  |

|  | Tinley Park |

| Downers Grove |  |

|  | Tinley Park–80th Avenue
Belmont |  |

|  | Hickory Creek
Lisle |  |

|  | Mokena
Naperville |  |

|  | Palos Park
Route 59 |  |

|  | Orland Park 143rd Street
Aurora |  |

|  | Orland Park 153rd Street
Romeoville |  |

|  | Orland Park 179th Street
Lockport |  |

|  | New Lenox
Joliet |  |

|  | Laraway Road
|  |

|  |  Manhattan |

|  |  |  |  |  |

Key

| BNSF Line |  |

|  |  Rock Island District

|
|
|
|

Heritage Corridor |  |

|  |  South Shore Line
Metra Electric District |  |

|  |  SouthWest Service
Milwaukee District North Line |  |

|  |  Union Pacific North Line
Milwaukee District West Line |  |

|  |  Union Pacific Northwest Line
North Central Service |  |

|  |  Union Pacific West Line
Two lines  |  |

|  | Multiple lines
Terminus |  |

|  |  Partial terminus
|  |  |  |  |  |

Fare zones

|  |

1 Downtown Chicago

|  |

|
|
|
|

2 Inner Cook County

|  |

3 Eastern DuPage County, outer Cook County

|  |

4 Collar counties, satellite cities

|  |
|  |  |  |  |  |

Connections

1. ^ Pulse Dempster Line
2. ^ O'Hare Int'l Airport (via ATS) and  Pulse Dempster Line
3. ^ Blue (Jefferson Park) and  Pulse Milwaukee Line
4. ^ Purple (Davis) and  Pulse Dempster Line
5. ^ Green (Harlem/​Lake)
6. ^ Brown (Damen)
7. ^ GreenPink (Clinton)
8. ^ BrownGreenOrangePinkPurple (Washington/​Wabash)
9. ^ BrownOrangePinkPurple (Quincy)
10. ^ Blue (LaSalle) and BrownOrangePinkPurple (LaSalle/​Van Buren)
11. ^ Green (35th–Bronzeville–IIT) and Red (Sox–35th)

|  |  |  |  |  |

This diagram:

* view
* talk
* edit

Show route diagram map

Metra (reporting mark METX) is the primary commuter rail system[a] in the Chicago metropolitan area serving the city of Chicago and its surrounding suburbs via the Union Pacific Railroad, BNSF Railway, and other railroads. The system operates 243 stations on 11 rail lines.[4] It is the fourth busiest commuter rail system in the United States by ridership and the largest and busiest commuter rail system outside the New York City metropolitan area. In 2024, the system had a ridership of 34,877,600, or about 158,100 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2025. The estimated busiest day for Metra ridership occurred on November 4, 2016—the day of the Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series victory rally, with a record 460,000+ passengers.[5]

Metra is the descendant of numerous passenger rail services dating to the 1850s. The present system dates to 1974, when the Illinois General Assembly established the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) to consolidate transit operations in the Chicago area, including commuter rail as a public utility. The RTA's creation was a result of the anticipated withdrawal of commuter service operated and owned by various private railroad companies in the 1970s. In a 1983 reorganization, the RTA placed commuter rail under a newly formed Commuter Rail Division, which branded itself as Metra in 1985. Freight rail companies still operate four of Metra's routes under purchase-of-service agreements. Metra owns all rolling stock and is responsible for all stations along with the respective municipalities.[6] Since its inception, Metra has directed more than $5 billion into the commuter rail system of the Chicago metropolitan area alongside the CTA. In January 2023, Metra rolled out a new real-time train tracking website to allow passengers greater visibility into their commute.[citation needed]

## History

[edit]

See also: History of passenger rail in Chicago

### Early Chicago commuter rail

[edit]

Since the 19th century, Chicago has been a major hub in the North American rail network.[7] It has more trackage radiating in more directions than any other city in North America.[7] Railroads set up their headquarters in the city and Chicago became a center for building freight cars, passenger cars and diesel locomotives. Early commuter services were run by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy, Chicago and North Western, and Milwaukee Road.

By the 1930s, Chicago had the world's largest public transportation system, but commuter rail services started to decline.[8] By the mid-1970s, the commuter lines faced an uncertain future. The Burlington Northern, Milwaukee Road, Chicago and North Western and Illinois Central had been losing money for several years, and were using trainsets with passenger cars dating as far back as the 1920s.[9]

### Formation of the RTA

[edit]

RTA EMD F40PH No. 123 crossing the Fox River in Elgin, Illinois, in 1981

To provide stability to the commuter rail system, the Illinois General Assembly formed the Regional Transportation Authority in 1974.[10] Its purpose was to fund and plan the Chicago region's public transportation. After initially using second-hand equipment, the RTA took delivery of the first new EMD F40PH locomotives in 1976. That F40PH fleet is still in service today.[9] The companies that had long provided commuter rail in the Chicago area continued to operate their lines under contract to the RTA.[10]

Less than a decade later the RTA was already suffering from ongoing financial problems. Additionally, two rail providers, the Rock Island Line and the Milwaukee Road, went bankrupt, forcing the RTA to create the Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation to operate their lines directly in 1982. In 1983 the Illinois Legislature reorganized the agency. That reorganization left the Regional Transportation Authority in charge of day-to-day operations of all bus, heavy rail and commuter rail services throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. It was also responsible for directing fare and service levels, setting up budgets, finding sources for capital investment and planning. A new Commuter Rail Division was created to handle commuter rail operations; along with CTA and Pace, it was one of RTA's three "service boards".[10]

### Metra branding

[edit]

Metra EMD F40C No. 614 in Chicago

The board of the RTA Commuter Rail Division first met in 1984. In an effort to simplify the operation of commuter rail in the Chicago area, in July 1985 it adopted a unified brand for the entire system–Metra, or Metropolitan Rail.[11] The newly reorganized Metra service helped to bring a single identity to the many infrastructure components serviced by the Regional Transportation Authority's commuter rail system.[10] However, the system is still legally known as the Commuter Rail Division of the RTA.

Today, Metra's operating arm, the Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation, operates seven Metra owned routes. Four other routes continue to be operated by Union Pacific (formerly Chicago & North Western) and BNSF (formerly Burlington Northern) under contract to Metra. Service throughout the network is provided under the Metra name (in keeping with Metra's goal of providing a single identity for all commuter rail in the region). Metra also owns all rolling stock, controls fares and staffing levels, and is responsible for most of the stations. However, the freight carriers who operate routes under contract use their own employees and control the right-of-way for those routes.[10]

By the first quarter of 2024, the Union Pacific Railroad is expected to transfer operations of the three Union Pacific lines to Metra. Union Pacific will continue to own and maintain the right-of-way.[12]

### Growth and expansion

[edit]

In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Metra experienced record ridership and expanded its services. In 1996, Metra organized its first new line, the North Central Service, running from Union Station to Antioch. By 2006, it added new intermediate stops to that same route, extended the Union Pacific West Line from Geneva to Elburn and extended SouthWest Service from Orland Park to Manhattan. In 2012, it boasted 95.8% average on-time performance (measured only for a train's arrivals at its last station no more than six minutes late).[13] It also posted its fourth highest volume in its history despite decreases in employment opportunities in downtown Chicago.[14]

Metra continued to seek expansion options and to improve passenger service. Over the past three decades, Metra has invested more than $5 billion into its infrastructure. That investment has been used to purchase new rolling stock, build new stations, renovate tracks, modernize signal systems and upgrade support facilities.[10] In addition to core improvements on the Union Pacific Northwest and Union Pacific West Lines, planning advanced on two new Metra routes, SouthEast Service and the Suburban Transit Access Route ("STAR" Line).[15] In 2023, Metra announced plans to extend the Milwaukee District West Line to Rockford, Illinois, with intermediate stops at Huntley and Belvidere, by 2027.[16] In August 2024, Metra ran hourly shuttles on the North Central Service between O'Hare International Airport and Union Station during the Democratic National Convention, leading some to question whether more frequent service to O'Hare could be permanently obtained.[17] Such an agreement would require contracts with the two freight railroads - Canadian National, which owns some of the NCS track, and CPKC, which dispatches trains on another portion of the route.[18] Additionally, improved service to O'Hare would likely require major infrastructure upgrades to track, sidings, crossovers, and flyovers, with the potential for dedicated rolling stock another consideration.

### Corruption

[edit]

Metra also has been marred by allegations and investigations of corruption. In April 2002, board member Don Udstuen resigned from both Metra and his executive job with the Illinois State Medical Society, after admitting to taking bribes to steer Metra contracts to firms associated with former legislator Roger Stanley and pleading guilty to his part in Illinois's Operation Safe Road scandal.[19]

In April 2010, Metra's executive director, Phil Pagano, faced investigation for taking an unauthorized $56,000 bonus and was later found to have improperly received $475,000 in vacation pay. The day that the agency's board was scheduled to discuss his fate, Pagano stepped in front of a moving Metra train in an apparent suicide.[20] Around the time of Pagano's death, allegations also surfaced that a Metra employee demanded a $2,000 payoff from the studio that used Metra in the 2011 film Source Code. That employee was later relieved of his duties, and retired.[21]

In June 2013, Metra CEO Alex Clifford abruptly resigned his position with no public comment. It was later reported that his exit had been demanded by the Metra board, which negotiated a $871,000 severance package including a non-disclosure agreement.[22] Clifford's ouster was allegedly arranged because he rejected requests for patronage hiring and promotion, including a request to promote a longtime supporter of State Representative Michael Madigan.[23] In the wake of this scandal, five board members resigned.[24] In August 2013, the remaining board members unanimously elected Don Orseno as interim CEO. (The six-member board was operating with reduced membership and thus lacked the authority to elect a permanent CEO. Orseno and Alex Wiggins shared duties as co-executive directors.) Orseno's long railroad career, beginning with work to set up trains and check doors for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad played favorably in the board's decision.[25][26][27] By October 2013, local officials had restored Metra's board to 11 members.[28] After reviewing four candidates, the re-constituted board formally appointed Orseno CEO of Metra in January 2014.[29][30] In 2014, "a lengthy history of political patronage hiring at" Metra was reported, based on past files.[31]

### Underfunding

[edit]

For a long time, Metra was not being funded enough to keep most equipment and rolling stock up to date. On average, the agency received approximately $700 million a year, but Metra claims to need about $2 billion a year, which only since 2020 has been accomplished. Because of this, Metra had to cut back on new rolling stock, instead resorting to their Rebuild Programs, in which they rebuild railcars and locomotives with newer state of the art utilities. Rebuilds cost only a fraction as much as buying new rolling stock, such as with their Amerail built cars. Rebuild programs can rebuild aging cars for approximately $650,000, whereas buying that same railcar new would be approximately $3 million.[32]

## Operations

[edit]

Passengers near an inbound train at Geneva Station

### Stations

[edit]

For a more comprehensive list, see List of Metra stations.

Metra serves passengers through stations throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. Each station, unless a route or branch terminus, provides travel toward (inbound) and away from (outbound) downtown Chicago. Therefore, a passenger can connect between the city and a suburb or between two points in the suburbs using Metra service. Although Metra's commuter rail system is designed to connect points all over the Chicago metropolitan area, it does provide some intracity connections within Chicago.[33]

Metra trains originate from one of four stations in downtown Chicago. Six lines originate at Union Station. The three Union Pacific lines originate at Ogilvie Transportation Center, formerly and still popularly called North Western Station. The Rock Island District originates at LaSalle Street Station. The Metra Electric District originates at Millennium Station, formerly and still often called Randolph Street Terminal. All four terminals are situated within walking distance of the Chicago Loop, so Metra passengers can easily transfer to a different Metra line upon their arrival downtown.[33] Metra's urban-centric service remains popular with suburban commuters working downtown, reverse commuters, and those who visit Chicago for recreational activities and tourism.[34]

Stations are found throughout Chicago, as well as in suburban Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties—an area largely coextensive with the inner ring of the Chicago metropolitan area. One station is located in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

### Routes

[edit]

Metra operates on 11 lines, most of which date from the mid-19th century. One line (the BNSF Line) is operated under a purchase-of-service agreement and is operated by BNSF Railway. The other ten lines are operated by the Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Rail Corporation (NIRC), Metra's operating subsidiary; eight of these primarily run over track owned by other railroads, while two (the Electric and Rock Island districts) run entirely on Metra-owned track. The three lines out of Ogilvie Transportation Center (formerly North Western Station) were operated by the Union Pacific Railroad until 2025.[citation needed] Inbound trains on every line at all times run through to their Chicago terminus, however, many outbound trains do not run through to their respective lines' terminus (for example, most trains on the Union Pacific Northwest Line do not run through to Harvard; instead, terminating at Crystal Lake).

Former Metra Electric Highliners at 59th Street station. They were replaced by Highliner IIs, which look similar to Metra's regular railcars (Gallery Cars)

BNSF

The BNSF Line is Metra's busiest route. This 37.5-mile (60.4 km) route runs from Union Station to Aurora, Illinois. It had an average of 63,000 weekday passenger trips in 2018–2019.[4]

Heritage Corridor

Metra's least patronized line, the Heritage Corridor is a 37.2-mile (59.9 km) route, running from Union Station to Joliet, Illinois during weekday rush hours only in the peak direction. It had an average of 2,600 weekday passenger trips in 2018–2019.[4]

Metra Electric

The Metra Electric District is a 31.5-mile (50.7 km) electrically powered route from Millennium Station to University Park, with an additional 9.1 miles (14.6 km) of branch lines serving Blue Island (except Sundays and holidays) and South Chicago (93rd Street). The line had an average of 28,100 passenger weekday trips in 2018–2019.[4]

Milwaukee District North

The Milwaukee District North Line is a 49.5-mile (79.7 km) route from Union Station to Fox Lake, Illinois. The line had an average of 22,100 weekday passenger trips in 2018–2019.[4]

Milwaukee District West

The Milwaukee District West Line is a 39.8-mile (64.1 km) route from Union Station to Big Timber Road in Elgin, Illinois; on weekends and holidays, service terminates in downtown Elgin. The line had an average of 20,600 weekday passenger trips in 2018–2019.[4] In 2023, Metra announced plans to extend the Milwaukee District West Line to Rockford, Illinois by 2027.[35]

North Central Service

The North Central Service is a 52.8-mile (85.0 km) route from Union Station to Antioch, Illinois. It had an average of 5,600-weekday passenger trips in 2018–2019.[4] It does not run at all on weekends and holidays.
Various timetables (2018–19)

Rock Island

The Rock Island District is a 40.0-mile (64.4 km) route (not inclusive of the 6.6-mile (10.6 km) Beverly Branch) to the southwest and southern suburbs. The line has 26 stations on two branches from LaSalle Street Station to Joliet. Some trains branch off onto a local track and terminate at Blue Island. It had an average of 26,900 weekday passenger trips in 2018–2019.[4]

SouthWest Service

The SouthWest Service is a 40.8-mile (65.7 km) route from Union Station to Manhattan, Illinois, though most trains end at Orland Park 179th Street. It had an average of 9,600-weekday passenger trips in 2018–2019.[4] It does not run at all on Sundays and holidays, and Saturday service is currently suspended.

Union Pacific North

The only route that travels outside Illinois, the Union Pacific North Line is a 51.6-mile (83.0 km) route from Ogilvie Transportation Center to Kenosha, Wisconsin, with most trains ending in Waukegan, Illinois. The line had an average of 34,600 weekday passenger trips in 2018–2019.[4]

Union Pacific Northwest

The longest Metra route, the Union Pacific Northwest Line is a 63.2-mile (101.7 km) route from Ogilvie Transportation Center to Harvard, Illinois, with most trains ending in Crystal Lake. During weekdays except for holidays, service also includes a 7.59-mile (12.21 km) branch line from Pingree Road to McHenry.[36] The line had an average of 40,100 weekday passenger trips in 2018–2019.[4]

Union Pacific West

The Union Pacific West Line is a 43.6-mile (70.2 km) route running from Ogilvie Transportation Center to Elburn, Illinois. The line had an average of 27,900 weekday passenger trips in 2018–2019.[4]

#### Proposed routes

[edit]

Metra proposed two routes in the early 2000s: the SouthEast Service, which would connect some portions of the southern suburbs with downtown Chicago; and the Suburban Transit Access Route, which would connect various suburbs with each other without going into downtown. As of 2020[update], only the SouthEast Service is still being considered.[37][38]

In 2023, the Illinois Department of Transportation selected Metra as the agency to run restored rail service to Rockford.[39][40]

#### Pre-Metra routes

[edit]

Several commuter lines were discontinued before Metra was established. The Illinois Central West Line from present-day Millennium Station to Addison, Illinois, (closed 1931), Pennsylvania Railroad line to Valparaiso, Indiana, (closed 1935), New York Central line from LaSalle Street Station to Elkhart, Indiana, (closed 1964), and four Chicago & North Western lines to St. Charles, Aurora, Freeport, and Kenosha-Harvard (all municipalities in Illinois and Wisconsin, closed 1930–51). The Burlington Route had service between Aurora and West Chicago, Illinois (closed 1943). Chicago Eastern Illinois operated commuter service on this line out of Dearborn Station to Dolton and Momence, respectively. The Chicago and Eastern Illinois commuter line to Momence, Illinois, ended in 1935, while the Chicago and Western Indiana service to Dolton, Illinois, was discontinued in 1964. Chicago Great Western had commuter service to DeKalb, Illinois (closed 1906). Santa Fe service to Joliet, Illinois (closed 1903). However, Metra runs service to Joliet, Illinois, on two routes: Heritage Corridor and Rock Island District.

### Ridership

[edit]

Ridership has been slowly declining on all but one line since 2014, as seen below. The figures post-2020 have been drastically affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Though monthly reports from 2024 show heavy improvement over 2021 figures, they are still below pre-pandemic levels.[41] Peak-direction ridership is at only 56% of pre-pandemic ridership, while other types of weekday travel are between 80% and 95% recovery rates. Systemwide, Saturday and Sunday ridership has fully recovered to pre-pandemic numbers.

#### Annual ridership

[edit]

Annual ridership by line  Line | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018[42] | 2019[43] | 2020[44] | 2021[45] | 2022[46] | 2023[47]

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

BNSF Line |  | 16,658,357 | 16,400,290 | 16,325,320 | 16,235,817 | 15,822,652 | 15,468,014  | 3,659,617  | 2,483,782  | 4,508,149  | 6,171,000
Heritage Corridor |  | 729,139 | 723,803 | 718,015 | 727,202 | 728,467 | 734,098  | 177,838  | 82,197  | 182,890  | 253,000
Metra Electric District |  | 9,415,916 | 9,054,649 | 8,642,365 | 8,149,977 | 7,716,121 | 7,282,993 | 2,019,403  | 1,836,723  | 3,132,516  | 2,846,000
Milwaukee District North Line |  | 7,237,913 | 7,094,564 | 6,934,684 | 6,818,808 | 6,610,059 | 6,549,143  | 1,556,783  | 1,094,292  | 1,905,473  | 2,307,000
Milwaukee District West Line |  | 6,946,268 | 6,771,637 | 6,621,104 | 6,349,963 | 6,143,996 | 5,904,808  | 1,480,973  | 1,059,742  | 1,724,436  | 3,888,000
North Central Service |  | 1,817,335 | 1,758,118 | 1,730,494 | 1,684,357 | 1,640,984 | 1,589,905  | 340,682  | 146,668  | 324,363  | 536,000
Rock Island District |  | 8,544,753 | 8,305,273 | 8,112,784 | 7,923,588 | 7,578,330 | 7,338,133  | 1,952,547  | 1,669,273  | 2,604,889  | 3,066,000
SouthWest Service |  | 2,659,040 | 2,604,292 | 2,538,273 | 2,457,418 | 2,420,921 | 2,356,767  | 574,815  | 305,167  | 556,591  | 845,000
Union Pacific North Line |  | 9,328,441 | 9,248,834 | 9,220,477 | 9,030,120 | 8,689,776 | 8,552,117 | 2,300,363  | 1,954,284  | 3,060,621  | 4,418,000
Union Pacific Northwest Line |  | 11,609,358 | 11,301,755 | 11,183,739 | 10,910,882 | 10,597,680 | 10,384,356 | 2,602,403  | 1,962,084  | 3,281,427  | 4,633,000
Union Pacific West Line |  | 8,423,188 | 8,367,264 | 8,375,067 | 8,332,483 | 8,139,344 | 7,883,185 | 1,945,886  | 1,486,536  | 2,408,426  | 3,293,000
Total | 83,369,706 | 81,630,476 | 80,402,319 | 78,620,612 | 76,088,329 | 74,043,156  | 18,611,311 | 14,080,749  | 23,726,400 | 31,988,000
Line | 2024[48]

|

BNSF Line |  | 6,849,000
Heritage Corridor |  | 288,000
Metra Electric District |  | 3,161,000
Milwaukee District North Line |  | 2,544,000
Milwaukee District West Line |  | 3,760,000
North Central Service |  | 608,000
Rock Island District |  | 3,159,000
SouthWest Service |  | 977,000
Union Pacific North Line |  | 4,831,000
Union Pacific Northwest Line |  | 5,182,000
Union Pacific West Line |  | 3,692,000
Total | 35,052,000
Annual ridership by year  Year | Ridership |

|
|

2008 | 86,806,452 | [46]
2009 | 82,284,563 | [46]
2010 | 81,378,384 | [46]
2011 | 82,626,562 | [46]
2012 | 81,368,285 | [46]
2013 | 82,267,348 | [46]
2014 | 83,369,706 | [42]
2015 | 81,630,476 | [42]
2016 | 80,402,319 | [42]
2017 | 78,620,612 | [42]
2018 | 76,088,329 | [42]
2019 | 74,043,516 | [43]
2020 | 18,611,311 | [44]
2021  | 14,080,749  | [45]
2022  | 23,689,782  | [46]
2023  | 31,986,000  | [47]

#### Weekday ridership

[edit]

Average weekday ridership by line  Line | 2008[49] | July 2008–
June 2009[50] | 2010[51] | July 2011–
June 2012[52] | July 2015–
June 2016[53] | July 2016–
June 2017[54]

|
|
|
|
|
|

BNSF Line |  | 63,400 | 63,500 | 64,600 | 67,400 | 65,300 | 63,900
Heritage Corridor |  | 2,800 | 2,800 | 2,600 | 2,600 | 2,400 | 2,400
Metra Electric District |  | 42,800 | 41,200 | 36,200 | 36,400 | 32,800 | 31,600
Milwaukee District North Line |  | 26,100 | 26,000 | 23,500 | 23,100 | 22,900 | 22,800
Milwaukee District West Line |  | 22,900 | 22,600 | 22,300 | 22,800 | 22,300 | 22,100
North Central Service |  | 5,700 | 5,800 | 5,400 | 5,800 | 5,800 | 5,800
Rock Island District |  | 35,600 | 33,900 | 30,500 | 30,700 | 29,800 | 28,700
SouthWest Service |  | 10,200 | 9,900 | 9,500 | 9,700 | 9,900 | 9,600
Union Pacific North Line |  | 41,000 | 42,000 | 36,400 | 35,400 | 35,500 | 34,700
Union Pacific Northwest Line |  | 43,500 | 43,500 | 40,900 | 41,000 | 40,700 | 39,600
Union Pacific West Line |  | 30,900 | 30,800 | 29,400 | 30,300 | 27,200 | 26,900
Total | 325,000 | 322,100 | 301,200 | 305,200 | 294,600 | 288,100

#### Weekend ridership

[edit]

Average weekend ridership by line  Line | July 2011–
June 2012[55]

|

BNSF Line |  | 24,600
Heritage Corridor |  | —
Metra Electric District |  | 14,300
Milwaukee District North Line |  | 9,500
Milwaukee District West Line |  | 9,600
North Central Service |  | —
Rock Island District |  | 6,800
SouthWest Service |  | 400
Union Pacific North Line |  | 17,300
Union Pacific Northwest Line |  | 19,500
Union Pacific West Line |  | 14,100
Total | 116,100
Average weekend ridership  Period | Avg. weekend ridership

|

2008[49] | 120,700
July 2008–
June 2009[50] | 124,600
2010[51] | 121,800
July 2011–
June 2012[52] | 116,100
July 2015–
June 2016[53] | 108,300
July 2016–
June 2017[54] | 105,900

### Connections

[edit]

Transportation in Chicago consists of a public transportation infrastructure allowing for intermodal connections to local, regional, national and international transportation services. Parking lots are available adjacent to most suburban Metra stations for passengers connecting with their train by car. Most parking lots are operated by the municipality they are located in. Fees and fines are also assessed by the local municipality; however, parking is usually free on weekends and most holidays.[56] Mass transit CTA and suburban Pace buses connect with many Metra stations downtown and in the suburbs. Monthly pass holders are offered link-up options with these services.[57] In addition, many intercity bus lines connect with passengers outside of Union Station.[58]

The Chicago "L" also has transfers with Metra at some Chicago stations. Most 'L' lines traverse the Loop allowing nearby access to all downtown Metra terminals. There are also transfer points between Metra and the 'L' outside of the Loop, such as transfers from the Union Pacific Northwest Line to the Blue Line at Irving Park and Jefferson Park Transit Center; and from the Union Pacific West Line to the Green Line at Oak Park.[59] 'L' trains announce downtown Metra connections on board when announcing the next 'L' stop.

Union Station doubles as both a Metra station and Amtrak's station in Chicago.[60] In addition to Illinois Service and Hiawatha, Amtrak trains run nationwide including service to states spanning both coastlines.[61] Passengers connecting from Ogilvie Transportation Center can access Union Station through its north platforms on the opposite side of Madison Street,[60] with Millennium and LaSalle stations also within a short walking distance of Union Station as well. A number of suburban Metra stations are also shared with Amtrak as well.

The South Shore Line, an interurban line connecting Chicago with the Indiana suburbs and South Bend, originates at Millennium Station and operates along much of the Chicago portion of the Electric District line, as far south as 63rd Street. Per a longstanding noncompete agreement, eastbound South Shore trains only stop at shared Electric District stations to board passengers, and westbound South Shore trains only stop to discharge passengers.

### Positive train control

[edit]

In regards to the PTC mandate that passed Congress, Metra took steps to meet the deadline. Metra concluded that the December 31, 2015, mandate to have PTC running was an unreasonable requirement. This aligned with the stance taken by much of the railroad industry.[62] This is due to a variety of factors including but not limited to: delays from the government, and the fundamental complexity of building a program from the ground up. Moreover, Metra estimates the cost of implementing the system on their 1,100 miles (1,800 km) of track in the Chicago region to be over $200 million.[63] The fear is this unfunded mandate will divert scarce capital funds from other essential needs. This includes building and maintaining existing tracks, stations, signals, and other equipment that ensures a safe operating environment for all of Metra's passengers. However, Metra recognizes the need for PTC but needed a more reasonable timeline to implement such a program. This recognition is partially based on Metra's previous accident history. Two noteworthy events were a pair of accidents on the Rock Island District within a span of a couple of years. The first event was a derailment that occurred on October 12, 2003, when a train flew through a 10 mph crossing at 68 mph. A second very similar occurrence happened on September 17, 2005, but was more serious. The latter derailment killed two passengers and injured 117.[63] Both of these incidents could have been prevented if PTC were in place. In both circumstances, PTC would have overridden the engineer and slowed the train down to the appropriate speed to prevent an accident from occurring.

Recently, Metra has taken significant steps in the process to fully implementing PTC. On April 22, 2015, the Metra board approved an $80 million contract to Parsons Transportation Group.[64] Parsons was the sole bidder and speaks to the complexities of the project. They will be in charge of incorporating various devices from GPS, radio, to trackside antennas into one cohesive system. The group has some experience in this sector previously as Parsons worked with the southern California commuter rail agency Metrolink to install their system.

By the year 2020, Metra completed installation of the Positive Train Control. This came at a capital cost of $400 million and an annual operating cost of $20 million. Metra's PTC system works with the trains of 12 other railroad companies.[65]

## Fare system and ticketing

[edit]

Entrance to a Metra bilevel rail car

Fare is determined by the distance traveled by a passenger. Each station along every route has generally been placed in a specific zone based on its distance from its respective downtown station. Multiple stations can be placed in the same zone even though they are on the same line.

Historically, the downtown terminals and stations in the vicinity of downtown were classified as zone 'A' and each additional zone represented an added 5 miles (8.0 km) from the downtown terminus.[57] There were originally thirteen fare zones: zones A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, and M (zone L would not have any stations since 1984 when Hartland station closed on the Northwest Line). Zones K and M were merged into zone J on July 15, 2018, reducing the number of zones to ten.[66][67]

On February 1, 2024, Metra reduced the number of fare zones from 10 to 4 and labeled each of the four zones by number instead of letter. This was proposed in an effort to simplify its fare structure. In addition, trips not entering or exiting the downtown area (zone 1) are subjected to a flat $3.75 fee.[68][69][70]

### Tickets

[edit]

Several ticketing options exist for passengers. Riders may choose to purchase one-way tickets, day passes, day pass five-packs, weekend passes, or monthly passes.[71]

* A one-way ticket is used for one-way travel between two stations. One-way tickets can be purchased from ticket vending machines at stations, from the Ventra app, or on the train from a conductor. Conductors will charge an extra $5 if a ticket machine was available at the passenger's departing station.[72][11][13]
* A day pass provides unlimited rides on one calendar day for all stations in between two zones for twice the cost of a one-way ticket between those two zones. Day passes can be purchased in stations or in the Ventra app but are not for sale on board trains.[72]
* A day pass five-pack provides five day passes between two zones determined at the time of purchase. Day pass five-packs can be shared between passengers and expire 90 days after the date of purchase. Day pass five-packs can only be purchased with the Ventra app.[72]
* A Saturday or Sunday day pass provides unlimited travel between any and all zones for one passenger on a Saturday, Sunday, or certain holidays. Weekend day passes can be purchased in stations, on board trains (with no surcharge), or with the Ventra app. As of 2024, Saturday or Sunday weekend passes cost $7.[72]
* A weekend pass (Ventra app only) provides unlimited travel between any and all zones for one passenger on a Saturday and Sunday. In the past, weekend passes were extended to include holidays adjacent to the weekend, but this practice seems to have ended.[citation needed] Weekend passes are only available within the Ventra app. As of 2024, weekend passes cost $10.[72]
* A monthly pass provides unlimited travel between any two zones for one passenger on every day of a respective month. Monthly passes can be used on any line within the specified zones. Monthly passes can be purchased from ticket vending machines, or from the Ventra app. Starting in July 2022, PlusBus and Link-Up have been combined to form the new Regional Connect Pass. The Regional Connect Pass is available for $30 to monthly pass holders and allows for unlimited travel on CTA buses and the 'L', as well as Pace buses. The Regional Connect Pass is only available for monthly passes purchased in the Ventra app.[72]

### Reduced fare programs

[edit]

Metra allows some travelers to purchase reduced fare tickets or even ride for free. These reduced fare and free ride programs are administered by Metra and the RTA. Some pre-college students, youth, senior citizens, members of the United States Armed Forces and persons with disabilities may qualify for these programs. Time-based and geographical restrictions apply to these programs and passengers must ensure they qualify before attempting to purchase special tickets or ride for free.[57] Cook County launched The Fair Transit pilot on January 4, 2021, scheduled to initially last for three years. Under the pilot, all riders on the Metra Electric and Rock Island lines will pay Metra's reduced fare rates.

On the Union Pacific North Line, passengers headed to an event at Ravinia Park may ride to the event for free after showing their Ravinia Festival e-ticket to the conductor.

## Safety and security

[edit]

Metra F40PH locomotives at the Waukegan Station A Nippon Sharyo gallery car, built in the early 2000s

Metra employees, the Metra Police Department and other public safety agencies are responsible for maintaining safety and security on its lines, aboard its trains and at stations all to various degrees. Although rail transport is one of the safest forms of land travel,[73] compromises to Metra's safety and security can occur through pedestrian accidents, suicide attempts, vehicle collisions, derailment, terrorism and other incidents. Failing to maintain safety and security can result in equipment and infrastructure damage, extensive service disruptions, traumatic injuries and loss of life. Therefore, Metra and other agencies consider safety a top priority and dedicate a significant amount of resources to combat these dangers.[74]

Starting in the early summer of 2013, Metra has announced plans to up police patrols on to the seven lines the agency operates: the Milwaukee Districts North and West, the North Central Service, the Heritage Corridor, South West Service, Rock Island, and Electric District. The police patrols will not be on the BNSF and Union Pacific train lines because those lines are operated by the railroads that own them and security falls to those companies. When asked why there were increasing patrols spokesman Michael Gillis said, "There is no particular reason, other than the fact that we want to be more proactive and more deliberately visible to our riders".[75]

### Law enforcement

[edit]

The Metra Police Department is a special law enforcement agency charged with providing police services to passengers, employees, equipment and property. The department has more than 100 police officers and is responsible for the safety of all routes and stations.[76] In an effort to help coordinate emergency preparedness and incident management, all Metra police officers are certified in the National Incident Management System.[77] In addition, Metra police works with the Chicago Police Department as a member of the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy.[76] Thomas A. Cook was the only Metra police officer that has been killed in the line of duty thus far.[78]

### Rail safety

[edit]

The focus on rail safety by Metra comes from many fronts beyond operations including emergency preparedness and public awareness.[77] The setup of railway platforms, use of grade crossing signals and horn blasts make up a critical system used to communicate movements of commuter trains to pedestrians and vehicles. Outside of these operational components, Metra aggressively pursues safety through public awareness. Metra utilizes its own Operation Lifesaver program and uses it to help spread safety messages. Metra also holds events promoting rail safety at schools and organizes a safety poster contest awarding winners with prizes and features their posters on monthly passes and at stations.[74]

Metra has been honored with several E. H. Harriman Awards for employee safety, most recently with a Bronze award in class B (line-haul railroads with between 4 and 15 million employee hours per year) for 2005. Previous Harriman Awards conferred to Metra include Gold awards for 2003 and 2004 and a Silver award for 2002.[79]

Metra expects to implement positive train control on its entire system in 2019, four years after the federally mandated 2015 deadline.[80]

### Incidents

[edit]

Metra related fatalities: The bar graph above shows the number of non-employee, Metra related deaths (listed vertically). This graph uses data from the previous decade and is organized by year (horizontally).[81]

There were 156 non-employee fatalities involving Metra equipment and Metra owned track between 2001 and 2010.[81] On average 15 people were killed annually based on data from that decade. The highest number of fatalities in a year throughout that time occurred in 2002, with 23 deaths and in 2010, with 21 deaths. The majority of these fatalities occurred at grade crossings and on railway involving an impact with a train; only four deaths involved passengers aboard the train.[81]

The worst commuter rail disaster in Illinois occurred before the formation of Regional Transportation Authority. The 1972 Chicago commuter rail crash consisted of a two-train collision on the Metra Electric, then under the control of the Illinois Central. The collision resulted in 45 deaths and 332 injuries.[82] Two decades later, Metra experienced its first rail disaster, the 1995 Fox River Grove bus–train collision.[83] This accident involved a collision of a Union Pacific Northwest Line train and a school bus at a grade crossing resulting in 21 injuries and the deaths of seven high school students.[83] In 2003, another incident involved a Rock Island District train derailing while switching from one track to another, injuring 45 passengers. In 2005, a train carrying 200 passengers along the same stretch of track derailed and then collided with a steel bridge resulting in two deaths and 117 injured. The cause of both accidents was ruled to be human error; the trains were going at speeds in excess of 68 miles per hour (109 km/h) when they should have been going 10 miles per hour (16 km/h).[84][85]

On May 11, 2022, Metra train #1242 collided with a box truck at Clarendon Hills on the Metra BNSF Line, resulting in four injuries, and one death. The passenger who was killed, a 72-year-old woman from Downers Grove, was ejected from a window of the train during the collision.[86] This incident, as of May 2022, is the second incident in Metra's history that resulted in a passenger fatality.

In addition to the loss of life, injuries, damage and service disruptions caused by accidents, Metra and other transportation agencies have been involved in multimillion-dollar lawsuits and settlements stemming from safety failures.[87][88] These failures have also resulted in updated safety policies and adjustments of equipment and warning devices.[83]

## Rolling stock

[edit]

### Current locomotives

[edit]

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All of Metra's locomotives are diesel-electric locomotives. The bulk of its locomotive fleet consists of F40PH locomotives. The Electric District uses electric multiple units.

Builder  | Model  | Road Numbers  | Year Built  | Routes Assigned  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|

EMD | SW1 | 2  | 1946  | Switch service, work trains  | Originally owned by the Illinois Central Railroad, later sold to the Rock Island Railroad.[89]
SW1200 | 3  | 1954  | Originally Milwaukee Road
SW1500 | 4–6, 8–9  | 1967–68, 1971–72  | Originally Southern Pacific
GP23ECO | 10–11  | 1969, 1966  | Two GP23ECOs from Progress Rail.[90] Both built as GP40s.
F59PHI | 73–93  | 1998  | Milwaukee District, North Central Service, Heritage Corridor, Union Pacific Lines  | 88-93 are Ex-Amtrak Cascades and 73-87 are Ex-Pacific Surfliner. Entered service in October 2018.
90 painted in Chicago & North Western Heritage livery.[91]

79 painted in the lightning bolt livery, rest painted in modified Pacific Surfliner livery.

Most stored at various locations

F59PH | 94–99[92][93] | 1988  | Milwaukee District, North Central Service, Heritage Corridor  | 97–99 ex-AMT. Brought into service in 2015.

94-96 stored at Antioch

F40PH-3 | 100–107, 110-114, 116-117, 119-123, 125-149, 173–184, 217  | 1977, 1979–81, 1983, 1988–89  | BNSF, Southwest Service, Rock Island, Union Pacific Lines  | 100-149 rebuilt to -3 specifications between 2008 and 2012.[94]
100 repainted into RTA wrap from September 14, 2017-mid 2018.

104 given a paint scheme honoring the City of Chicago, revealed on May 4, 2022.
120 given a paint scheme honoring the Veterans, revealed on November 7, 2024.
174-184 rebuilt to -3 specifications between 2016 and 2017. 173 rebuilt to -3 specifications in 2018 to replace the wrecked F40PHM-2 205.
Starting in 2022, 100-149, are currently being rebuilt, with 131 being the first locomotive to get the treatment.

F40PH-2 | 150-151, 154, 156-159, 161-165, 167  | 1983  | Union Pacific Lines  | Retirement in progress, to be replaced by SD70MACHs
F40PHM-3 | 185–199, 201-204, 206–214  | 1991–1992  | BNSF, Rock Island, SouthWest Service  | Rebuilt to -3 specifications from F40PHM-2 between 2016 and 2020. When built as F40PHM-2s, they were the last F40PH series locomotives built by EMD.
194 was the first F40PHM-2 to be rebuilt and repainted.
210 suffered a fire on June 13, 2019. It returned to service in December 2020.
211 painted in Chicago Burlington & Quincy Heritage livery.
MPI | MP36PH-3C | 401–427  | 2003–2004  | Rock Island, Milwaukee District, North Central Service, Heritage Corridor  | Converted from MP36PH-3S beginning in 2015 with 417.

Locomotive 402 painted into State of Illinois livery.
Locomotive 405 painted into Milwaukee Road Heritage livery, with Richard P. Oppenheim naming.
Locomotive 425 painted into Rock Island Heritage livery, with Don Orseno naming.

EMD | SD70MACH | 500-523  | 1992–2004 (as originally built)  | Milwaukee District, North Central Service  | Used SD70MAC locomotives converted for Metra service. 24 to be/being rebuilt as of 3/25/24 (with options for more), replacing F40PH-2 (150-172) and some F40PH-3 (100–149 and 215-216, except locomotive 104's City of Chicago paint scheme).[95] The first locomotive was delivered in October 2022.[96] New locomotives will be delivered approximately once per month throughout 2022 and 2023.[97] The first locomotives entered service in late 2023.[98] Locomotive 500 painted in RTA heritage scheme.
F40C | 611  | 1974  | Milwaukee District  | Built as MILW 51, renumbered to 611 upon Metra's inception. Was retired in 2003. In January 2005, it was brought back into service while several then-new MP36PH-3S locomotives were out of service with software issues. Due to the F40PH rebuild program, it returned to service in April 2009 and remained in service until mid-2012. 611 remains in the Western Avenue yard.

#### Retired locomotives

[edit]

Builder  | Model  | Road Numbers  | Year
Built  | Routes Assigned  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|

EMD | F7 | 305, 308  | 1949  | All Diesel Routes  | Donated to the Illinois Railway Museum. 305 has been restored as Chicago and North Western 411, while 308 is still painted in Metra colors.
E8 | 507–510, 512–522  | 1950–53  | CNW Routes  | 508, 516, and 518 sold to IPH.

515 is now owned by the Illinois Railway Museum as of December 2021.

522 is owned by LWV and was renumbered 101.

519 is privately owned, numbered MREX 97\. Currently located at the Arizona Railway Museum in Chandler, Arizona.[99][100]

E9 | 511  | 1955  | Owned by UP and cosmetically restored to original number of UP 949.
F40C | 600–610, 612–614  | 1974  | Milwaukee District  | Built as MILW 40-50, 52-54.

614 (ex. MILW 54) was donated to the Illinois Railway Museum in February 2025.[101] Remainder scrapped.

SW1500 | 7  | 1968  | Switch service, work trains  | Sold to NRE in Dixmoor, Illinois in 2015 due to an internal engine failure, and was scrapped due to site's closure in 2020.
SW1 | 1  | 1938  | Originally owned by the Illinois Central Railroad, later sold to the Rock Island Railroad. #1 was modified with MU Car couplers and was the oldest operating locomotive in the U.S. that is not preserved. It was used to transfer cars from Metra Electric at Blue Island to the Blue Island wheelhouse to maintain a proper wheel profile on Metra Electric MU cars. Retired & auctioned off in June 2021 due to an internal engine failure.[102]
F40PHM-2/3  | 200, 205  | 1992  | BNSF, RI, Southwest Service  | Number 205 was wrecked in a CSX Derailment on March 8, 2018, while on route for refurbishment.[103] It was scrapped on site.

200 in the WACY deadline

F40PH-2 | 152-153, 155, 160, 166, 168–172  | 1983  | Union Pacific Lines  | Stored in Antioch Coach Yard awaiting final deposition. All being scrapped, used for parts.

166 stored at the M19A shops.

F40PH-3 | 108-109, 115, 118, 124, 215-216  | 1977, 1981  | All Diesel Routes  | Number 118 suffered an engine fire, used as a parts source at the 47th Street locomotive shops.

215 suffered a major fire on December 3, 2018.[104]

109, 115, and 216 have been moved to the Antioch coach yards, retired.

124 stored in Blue Island, likely not returning to service

108 stored in 47th Street locomotive shops, likely not returning to service

### Coaches

[edit]

Numbers  | Type  | Heritage  | Year Built  | Quantity  | Builder  | Disposition

|
|
|
|
|
|

700–787
790–795  | Coach
Coach/Cab  | Burlington Route | 1950–65
1965  | 94  | Budd | Operating, rebuilt in 1973
700–740, 752, 781, 790–795 sold to MItrain in Michigan, later acquired by WeGo Star in Tennessee
796–815
816–820
7100–7121  | Coach/Cab
Coach
Coach  | Burlington Northern | 1973
1973
1977–78  | 47  | Operating
6001–6194  | Coach  | Metra  | 2002–05  | 194  | Nippon Sharyo
7200–7382  | Milwaukee Road | 1961–80  | 183  | Budd
7400–7497  | Metra  | 1996–98  | 98  | Amerail  | Operating, rebuilt in 2012
TBD  | TBD  | TBD  | Alstom | On order. Alstom Coradia bilevel coaches. Initial order includes 200 cars, with an option for 300 more.[105][106]
8200–8238  | Coach/Cab  | Milwaukee Road  | 1961–74  | 39  | Budd  | Operating
8239–8275  | RTA | 1978–80  | 37  | Operating–Some have been converted to coaches.
8400–8478  | Metra  | 1994–98  | 79  | Morrison-Knudsen/Amerail  | Operating–Mainly assigned to the UP lines.
8501–8608  | 2002–05  | 108  | Nippon Sharyo  | Operating
TBD  | TBD  | TBD  | Alstom  | On order. Alstom Coradia bilevel coaches. Initial order includes 200 cars, with an option for 300 more.[105][106]
7700–7866  | Coach  | Chicago and North Western  | 1960–70  | 167  | Pullman  | Operating; 12 coaches sold to MARC and later reacquired by 2015. Some bike cars.
7867–7871  | Rock Island | 1970  | 1  | Pullman  | 7868 now a bike car. Rest retired
8700–8763  | Coach/Cab  | Chicago and North Western | 1960–68  | 2  | Pullman  | 8749 and 8743 are bicycle cars.

#### Former coaches

[edit]

Numbers  | Type  | Heritage  | Year Built  | Quantity  | Builder  | Disposition

|
|
|
|
|
|

7600–7613  | Coach  | Chicago and North Western  | 1955  | 14  | St. Louis | Retired. Two preserved at the Illinois Railway Museum
7650–7681  | 1956  | 32  | Pullman | Retired. One preserved at the Illinois Railway Museum
7867

7869–7871

| Rock Island | 1970  | 4  | Pullman  |
7880  | Coach (former Parlor)  | Chicago and North Western | 1958  | 1  | Pullman  | Retired
7881–7885  | Coach  | Rock Island | 1970  | 5
7900–7901  | Club Car  | Chicago and North Western | 1955  | 2  | St. Louis
8700–8748

8750–8763

| Coach/Cab  | 1960–68  | 63  | Pullman  | One preserved at the Illinois Railway Museum

#### Private club coaches

[edit]

Numbers  | Type  | Heritage  | Year Built  | Builder  | Disposition

|
|
|
|
|

553 | Private railroad car | Chicago and North Western | 1949  | ACF | In storage
555  | Retired

### Multiple units

[edit]

Metra's electric units, except for the future battery electric multiple units, are also known as Highliners.

Numbers  | Model  | Type  | Heritage  | Year Built  | Builder  | Status

|
|
|
|
|
|

1201–1226  | Highliner[107] | MU Coach | Metra  | 2005  | Nippon Sharyo | Acquired by NICTD in 2021.[108]
1227–1238  | Highliner II[109] | 2012  | Operating
1239–1279  | 2013
1280–1386  | 2014–2016
1501–1630  | Highliner | Illinois Central | 1971–1972  | St. Louis | Retired
1631–1666  | 1978–1979  | Bombardier
TBD  | FLIRT Akku | Battery electric multiple unit | Metra  | 2024-  | Stadler | On order. 16 trainsets[110][111][112][113]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Northern Indiana commuters are served by the South Shore Line under a different public authority.

## See also

[edit]

* Mass transit in Chicago
* Chicago 'L'
* Chicago Transit Authority
* Pace (transit)
* South Shore Line (NICTD)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Transit Ridership Report First Quarter 2025" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. May 15, 2025. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
2. ^ "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2024" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. February 19, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
3. ^ Pyke, Marni (August 16, 2017). "Metra picks James Derwinski as new chief". Daily Herald. Archived from the original on September 5, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Operations and Ridership Data". Archived from the original on March 31, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
5. ^ "Cubs victory celebration sets new record for Metra". metrarail.com. November 11, 2016. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
6. ^ "Our History Metra". Archived from the original on March 8, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2018. "Metra owns the rolling stock and in conjunction with local municipalities is responsible for most stations."
7. ^ a b "Railroads". Encyclopedia of Chicago. Chicago Historical Society. January 23, 2009. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
8. ^ "Chicago Commuter Rail Collection". Special Collection Finding Aids. University of Illinois at Chicago. August 17, 2006. Archived from the original on May 30, 2010. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
9. ^ a b Vandervoort, Bill (October 12, 2010). "Metra History". Metra Railfanning. Archived from the original on January 29, 2010. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
10. ^ a b c d e f "Metra History". About Metra. Metra. August 10, 2018. Archived from the original on March 8, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
11. ^ a b "Rail Board To Assume New Identity: Metra". Chicago Tribune. July 11, 1985. Archived from the original on November 11, 2013. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
12. ^ "Union Pacific Transferring Commuter Rail Services to Metra". Union Pacific Railroad. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
13. ^ a b "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 4, 2015. Retrieved October 6, 2013.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
14. ^ "Metra Ridership Reports – Annual Ridership". Metra Annual Report. Metra. March 10, 2012. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
15. ^ "Metra Connects". Metra. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
16. ^ Mitch Dudek (July 6, 2023). "Metra service between Chicago and Rockford to begin in 2027". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
17. ^ "Metra to offer O'Hare shuttle trains during DNC | Metra". metra.com. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
18. ^ "Can O'Hare service be improved? | Metra". metra.com. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
19. ^ Long, Jeff; Japsen, Bruce (July 8, 2002). "From GOP insider to federal witness". Chicago Tribune. Chicago. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
20. ^ Hinz, Greg (April 2, 2014). "FBI file on Metra's Phil Pagano offers sad lessons". Crain's Chicago Business. Chicago. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
21. ^ Wronski, Richard; Metz, Nina (April 14, 2011). "Metra probe of alleged shakedown got lost in 'chaos' following agency pay scandal". Chicago Tribune. Chicago. Archived from the original on September 27, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
22. ^ "RTA report blasts Metra board over Clifford severance". Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
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24. ^ Horng, Eric. "5th Metra board member, Stanley Rakestraw, resigns under pressure from Toni Preckwinkle". abc7chicago.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
25. ^ Rossi, Rosalind (August 27, 2013). "Metra names 'railroad man' as interim CEO". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on March 11, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
26. ^ Wronski, Richard; Stacy St. Clair (August 28, 2013). "Veteran 'railroad guy' takes over at Metra". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on August 28, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
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35. ^ Mitch Dudek (July 6, 2023). "Metra service between Chicago and Rockford to begin in 2027". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
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55. ^ "Operations and Ridership Data" (PDF). Metra. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 27, 2013.
56. ^ "Parking Map". Riding Metra. Metra. February 23, 2011. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
57. ^ a b c "Tickets". Metra. April 27, 2011. Archived from the original on June 28, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
58. ^ "Transportation". Travel Tools. City of Chicago. Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
59. ^ Garfield, Graham. "Jefferson Park". Northern Illinois History. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
60. ^ a b "Chicago Union Station". Metra. February 23, 2011. Archived from the original on June 14, 2011. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
61. ^ "Chicago, IL – Union Station (CHI)". Amtrak. Archived from the original on April 27, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
62. ^ "Positive Train Control". Association of American Railroads. Archived from the original on March 8, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
63. ^ a b Wronksi, Richard (April 9, 2013). "Metra argues for delay of 'fail-safe' rail system". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on May 19, 2015. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
64. ^ Wronski, Richard (April 22, 2015). "Metra to spend $80 million to help launch safety system". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on April 24, 2019. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
65. ^ "Positive Train Control (PTC) | Metra". metra.com. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
66. ^ "Fare zone pilot programs begin July 15". Metra. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
67. ^ "Fare Structure Study". Metra. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
68. ^ Neveau, James (November 14, 2023). "Metra is changing its pricing and fares. Here's how much tickets will now cost". NBC Chicago. Archived from the original on December 22, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
69. ^ Studenkov, Igor (November 13, 2023). "Metra approves 2024 budget, creating new fare structure - Streetsblog Chicago". chi.streetsblog.org. Archived from the original on December 22, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
70. ^ "Metra's 2024 Fare Structure Modifications | Metra". metra.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
71. ^ "Tickets". Metra. May 21, 2011. Archived from the original on June 28, 2016. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
72. ^ a b c d e f "Metra's 2024 Fare changes". Metra. February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
73. ^ U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (2010). National Transportation Statistics. Table 2-1: Transportation Fatalities by Mode (Report). Archived from the original on May 24, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
74. ^ a b "School Safety". Rail Safety & Security. Metra. May 14, 2011. Archived from the original on April 10, 2012. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
75. ^ Pyke, Marni (June 12, 2013). "Metra ups police presence on trains". dailyherald.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
76. ^ a b "Security". Rail Safety & Security. Metra. February 23, 2011. Archived from the original on May 2, 2011. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
77. ^ a b "Emergency Preparedness/Public Awareness". Rail Safety & Security. Metra. February 24, 2011. Archived from the original on April 18, 2011. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
78. ^ "Police Officer Thomas Alan Cook". odmp.org. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
79. ^ Association of American Railroads (reprinted by Norfolk Southern Railway) (May 16, 2006). "Railroads Set Another Employee Safety Record in 2005". Archived from the original on February 13, 2007. Retrieved May 24, 2006.
80. ^ "Most Commuter Rails Won't Meet Deadline For Mandated Safety Systems". npr.org. Archived from the original on September 25, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
81. ^ a b c "FRA Office of Safety Analysis Web Site". Casualties By State, Railroad or Type. Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Safety Analysis. May 20, 2011. Archived from the original on September 4, 2011. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
82. ^ "1972, October 30: Illinois Central Commuter Train Crash". Chicago Public Library. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved July 7, 2009.
83. ^ a b c HIGHWAY/RAILROAD ACCIDENT REPORT (PDF) (Report). National Transportation Safety Board. 1996. PB96-916202. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 4, 2010. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
84. ^ Wronski, Richard (September 19, 2012). "Agreement reached in 2003 Metra derailment lawsuit". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on December 16, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
85. ^ Wronski, Richard; Quintanilla, Ray (December 22, 2006). "Human error, Metra blamed in 2005 crash". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on February 4, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
86. ^ "Passenger Was Ejected Out of Train Window in Fatal Clarendon Hills Crash: Officials". May 12, 2022. Archived from the original on May 16, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
87. ^ "Clifford Settles Violinist Lawsuit Against METRA for $35 Million". March 11, 2002. Archived from the original on January 4, 2010. Retrieved February 11, 2010.
88. ^ Uphues, Bob (September 28, 2005). "Suit filed against railroads in cyclist's death: Metra, BNSF negligence cited as the cause". Riverside Brookfield Landmark. Archived from the original on March 15, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
89. ^ MILW261s3 (January 13, 2005). "METRA Switch Engines". Trainorders.com. Archived from the original on February 14, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
90. ^ Trains Locomotive 2019
91. ^ Guss, Chris (August 18, 2020). "Metra unveils C&NW heritage locomotive". Trains. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
92. ^ Beecher, Marshall (December 2015). "Metra adds muscle to its fleet". Trains. 75 (12): 18.
93. ^ "On The Bi-Level – November 2015" (PDF). Metrarail.com. Metra. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 22, 2015. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
94. ^ "Doing Business with Metra". Archived from the original on March 12, 2007. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
95. ^ "Metra Board approves locomotive purchase | Metra". metrarail.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2019.
96. ^ "Metra on X: 'Introducing the latest addition to Metra's fleet: the SD70MACH. This locomotive, designated as the first in our 500-series locomotives, was painted in heritage RTA colors to celebrate the upcoming 50th anniversary of its formation. 1/2 / X". Twitter. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
97. ^ "Archived copy". Twitter. Archived from the original on December 14, 2022. Retrieved October 11, 2022.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
98. ^ "Metra SD70MACHs begin revenue service". Trains. December 2, 2023. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
99. ^ "ARM Equipment Roster". www.azrymuseum.org. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
100. ^ "ARM Roster: C&NW EMD E8 No. 5022A". www.azrymuseum.org. Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
101. ^ "Metra donates F40C locomotive to Illinois Railway Museum". Trains. February 21, 2025. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
102. ^ "SWITCH LOCOMOTIVE - govdeals.com". www.govdeals.com. Archived from the original on June 7, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
103. ^ "In-transit Metra locomotive damaged in derailment | Trains Magazine". Trains. March 19, 2018. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
104. ^ "Metra still looking for cause of engine fire that evacuated train". December 5, 2018. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
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107. ^ "Bi-Level EMU for METRA (2005-)". www.n-sharyo.co.jp. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
108. ^ @Metra (October 14, 2021). "Metra crews have been working on repainting some of our Highliner cars, referred to as HL1s since they were the first of the Highliners delivered to Metra, for service on the @southshoreline (NICTD)" (Tweet). Retrieved October 23, 2024 - via Twitter.
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## Further reading

[edit]

* "Leaders Agree to Push for Metra". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Online, 22 December 2004. Archived from the original on January 7, 2005. Retrieved January 20, 2005.
* "Village board seeks Metra extension". McHenry Online. Archived from the original on February 26, 2005. Retrieved January 20, 2005.
* "Metra: Driven by its history, A modern Chicago railroad carries its past with it". Trains Magazine, July 2003, by J. David Ingles. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
* "The CTA's "Doomsday Budget"-and what it means to Metra riders" (PDF). On the Bi-Level, May 2005 Special Edition. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 27, 2005. Retrieved June 8, 2005.
* J. David Ingles, Metra: "Best Commuter Train", Trains July 1993

## External links

[edit]

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Metra.

* Metra
* Regional Transportation Authority

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Metra

Lines|

| Current|

* BNSF
* Heritage Corridor
* Metra Electric
* Milwaukee District North
* Milwaukee District West
* North Central Service
* Rock Island
* SouthWest Service
* Union Pacific North
* Union Pacific Northwest
* Union Pacific West

|

Proposed|

* Rockford Intercity Passenger Rail
* Suburban Transit Access Route
* SouthEast Service

Stations and terminals|

* Chicago Union Station
* LaSalle Street Station
* Millennium Station
* Ogilvie Transportation Center

Rolling stock|

* EMD F40C
* EMD F40PH
* EMD F59PH
* MPI MP36PH-3S
* Gallery Car
* Highliner
* Car 553

Incidents|

* 1972 Chicago train crash (Illinois Central Gulf Railroad)
* 1995 Fox River Grove train crash
* 2005 Elmwood Park train crash

See also|

* Regional Transportation Authority
* South Shore Line
* Calumet
* Illinois Central West Line
* Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program

* v
* t
* e

Rail transit in the Chicago metropolitan area

* Chicago Union Station
* LaSalle Street Station
* Millennium Station
* Ogilvie Transportation Center

Rapid transit|

* Chicago "L"
* Red Line
* Blue Line
* Green Line
* Brown Line
* Orange Line
* Purple Line
* Yellow Line
* Pink Line
* Loop

Commuter rail|

| Current
services|

* Metra
* Heritage Corridor
* Milwaukee District North
* Milwaukee District West
* North Central Service
* SouthWest Service
* Rock Island District
* Metra Electric District
* Union Pacific North Line
* Union Pacific Northwest Line
* Union Pacific West Line
* BNSF Railway
* BNSF Line
* NICTD
* South Shore Line

|

Former
services|

* Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (Chicago–Joliet)
* Calumet
* Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad (Chicago–Momence)
* Chicago and Erie Railroad (Chicago–Rochester)
* Chicago and North Western Railroad (Chicago–St. Charles/Aurora/Freeport/Crystal Lake, Kenosha–Harvard)
* Chicago and Western Indiana Railroad (Chicago–Dolton)
* Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad (Aurora–West Chicago, Aurora–Geneva)
* Chicago Great Western Railway (Chicago–DeKalb)
* Grand Trunk Western Railroad (Chicago–Valparaiso)
* Illinois Central West Line
* New York Central Railroad (Chicago–Elkhart, Gary–Joliet)
* Pennsylvania Railroad (Chicago–East Chicago, Chicago–Crown Point, Chicago–Valparaiso),

Streetcar|

* Kenosha Streetcar
* Aurora, Elgin and Fox River Electric
* Chicago and West Towns Railway
* Chicago City Railway
* Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad
* Chicago Surface Lines
* Evanston Railway Company
* Gary Railways
* Hammond, Whiting and East Chicago Railway

Interurban|

* South Shore Line
* Aurora, Elgin and Fox River Electric
* Aurora, Plainfield and Joliet Railroad
* Chicago and Interurban Traction Company
* Chicago and Joliet Electric Railway
* Chicago, Aurora and DeKalb Railroad
* Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad
* Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad
* Chicago, Ottawa and Peoria Railway
* Elgin and Belvidere Electric Company
* Fox and Illinois Union Railway
* Joliet and Eastern Traction Company
* Woodstock and Sycamore Traction Company

Inter-city|

* Amtrak
* List of historical intercity services

People mover|

* Airport Transit System

Agencies|

* Chicago Transit Authority
* Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District
* Regional Transportation Authority
* Kenosha Area Transit

Italics denote lines or services which are no longer in operation.

* v
* t
* e

Currently operating commuter rail systems in the United States

| California|

* ACE
* Caltrain
* Coaster
* eBART
* Metrolink
* SMART

|

Colorado|

* RTD

Connecticut/Massachusetts|

* CT Rail

Florida|

* SunRail
* Tri-Rail

Illinois/Wisconsin|

* Metra

Indiana/Illinois|

* South Shore Line

Massachusetts/Rhode Island|

* MBTA Commuter Rail

Maryland/West Virginia/Washington, DC|

* MARC

Minnesota|

* Northstar Line

New Jersey/New York/Pennsylvania|

* NJ Transit

| New York|

* Long Island Rail Road

|

New York/Connecticut|

* Metro-North Railroad

New Mexico|

* Rail Runner Express

Oregon|

* WES Commuter Rail

Pennsylvania/New Jersey/Delaware|

* SEPTA Regional Rail

Tennessee|

* WeGo Star

Texas|

* A-train
* CapMetro Rail
* TEXRail
* Trinity Railway Express

Utah|

* FrontRunner

Virginia/Washington, DC|

* Virginia Railway Express

Washington|

* Sounder

Other transit in the United States:

* Rapid transit
* Light rail/Streetcar
* People mover & monorail
* Trolleybus

* v
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* e

Public transit in Illinois

Statewide|

* Amtrak
* Barons Bus Lines
* Burlington Trailways
* Flixbus
* Greyhound Lines
* Peoria Charter Coach Company
* Van Galder Bus Company
* Wisconsin Coach Lines
* List of intercity bus stops in Illinois

Chicagoland|

* Airport Transit System
* Chicago Transit Authority
* "L"
* Metra
* Pace
* Pace Pulse
* South Shore Line

Metro East|

* Metro Transit:
* MetroBus
* MetroLink
* Madison County Transit
* St. Clair County Transit District

North|

* Beloit Transit
* DeKalb Public Transit
* Galesburg Transit
* Go West Transit
* Quad Cities MetroLINK
* River Valley Metro Mass Transit District
* Rockford Mass Transit District

Central|

* Champaign County Area Rural Transit System
* Champaign–Urbana Mass Transit District
* Coles County Zipline
* Connect Transit
* Danville Mass Transit
* Decatur Public Transit System
* Greater Peoria Mass Transit District
* Quincy Transit Lines
* Sangamon Mass Transit District
* SHOW Bus

South|

* Jackson County Mass Transit District
* Monroe Randolph Transit District
* Rides Mass Transit District
* Shawnee Mass Transit District
* South Central Illinois Mass Transit District

Transportation in Illinois

* v
* t
* e

Railroads of Illinois

Common carriers|

* A&R Terminal Railroad
* Ag Valley Railroad
* Alton and Southern Railway
* Belt Railway of Chicago
* Bloomer Shippers Connecting Railroad
* BNSF Railway
* Burlington Junction Railway
* Canadian National Railway
* Grand Trunk Western Railroad
* Illinois Central Railroad
* Chicago Central and Pacific Railroad
* Wisconsin Central
* Central Illinois Railroad
* Chicago–Chemung Railroad
* Chicago, Fort Wayne and Eastern Railroad
* Chicago Port Railroad
* Chicago Rail Link
* Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad
* City of Rochelle Railroad
* Coffeen and Western Railroad
* Canadian Pacific Kansas City
* Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad
* Kansas City Southern Railway
* Soo Line Railroad
* Crab Orchard and Egyptian Railway
* CSX Transportation
* Baltimore and Ohio Chicago Terminal Railroad
* Decatur Central Railroad
* Decatur & Eastern Illinois Railroad
* Decatur Junction Railway
* Eastern Illinois Railroad
* Effingham Railroad
* Evansville Western Railway
* Gateway Eastern Railway
* Illinois and Midland Railroad
* Illinois Railway
* Illinois Western Railroad
* Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad
* Indiana Rail Road
* Iowa Interstate Railroad
* Joppa and Eastern Railroad
* Kankakee, Beaverville and Southern Railroad
* Keokuk Junction Railway
* Lincoln and Southern Railroad
* Manufacturers' Junction Railway
* Manufacturers Railway
* Norfolk Southern Railway
* Peoria and Pekin Union Railway
* Peru Industrial Railroad
* Pioneer Industrial Railway
* Port Harbor Railroad
* Riverport Railroad
* Shawnee Terminal Railway
* South Chicago and Indiana Harbor Railway
* Southern Illinois and Missouri Bridge Company
* Tazewell and Peoria Railroad
* Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis
* Toledo, Peoria and Western Railway
* Union Pacific Railroad
* Vandalia Railroad
* Vermilion Valley Railroad
* Wisconsin and Southern Railroad

Passenger carriers|

* Airport Transit System
* Amtrak
* Chicago "L"
* Metra
* MetroLink
* South Shore Line

Private carriers|

* Bulkmatic Railroad
* C&C Railroad
* Calumet Transload & Railroad
* Captain Mine
* Chicago Heights Terminal Transfer Railroad
* Chicago and Western Indiana Railroad
* DOT Rail Service
* FNG Logistics Company
* Joliet Junction Railroad
* Kaskaskia Regional Port District Railroad
* Mokena Illinois Railroad
* North American Industrial Railway
* Peabody Energy
* Peoria, Peoria Heights and Western Railroad
* Respondek Railroad Corporation

Heritage railroads|

* Fox River Trolley Museum
* Illinois Railway Museum
* Monticello Railway Museum
* Silver Creek & Stephenson Railroad

* See also: Former carriers in Illinois
* List of United States railroads by political division

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