By Townhall Chicago News Staff
Metra this week released a draft study outlining the improvements and estimated costs needed to transform its commuter rail network into a regional rail system with more frequent, all-day service across all 11 lines.
The Systemwide Network Plan identifies infrastructure needs and potential investments to expand bidirectional service throughout the day and week, moving beyond the traditional rush-hour commuter model that has defined Metra for decades. The plan carries an estimated price tag of $2.7 billion for initial improvements and up to $9.1 billion to reach a higher level of service, according to the agency.
“This plan lays out near- and mid-term implementation steps to support the evolution of our service, but it also defines a long-term vision for what regional rail can become,” Metra Executive Director and CEO Jim Derwinski said in a news release. “We hope it will serve as a blueprint to support the transition and success of NITA in a regionally coordinated effort to implement regional rail.”
The study was developed in response to Metra’s strategic plan, which examined post-pandemic ridership patterns and called for a shift toward regional rail service. The transition is also driven by the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) Act, which established NITA as a replacement for the Regional Transportation Authority and requires Metra to implement a regional rail pilot on the Rock Island Line by January 2027.
The plan outlines two tiers of service. Regional Rail 1.0 would provide trains every 30 to 60 minutes at an estimated cost of $2.7 billion in capital investment and $269 million in additional annual operating costs. Regional Rail 2.0 would increase frequency to every 15 to 30 minutes, requiring an additional $6.4 billion in capital and $411 million in operating costs, according to the release.
Each Metra line presents different challenges involving infrastructure, freight traffic and ridership patterns, making a single approach impractical, officials said. On some lines, existing service patterns could be maintained with more frequent trains. Others could benefit from a model dividing routes into inner and outer zones.
“We know that riders want to move more easily from city to city across the suburbs and collar counties in addition to more frequent service downtown,” NITA interim Executive Director Jamie Rhee said in the release. “NITA looks forward to incorporating all Service Board efforts into our regional service planning framework beginning 2027.”
Metra said it has already taken steps toward regional rail, including simplifying and standardizing schedules, reducing stopping patterns, shortening off-peak headways, improving reverse-commute service and strengthening transfer connections. Schedules incorporating more regional rail elements have generally experienced stronger ridership recovery, according to the agency.
The study focuses on improvements within Metra’s existing footprint, largely avoiding costly investments in new rights-of-way and additional mainline capacity beyond existing plans.
The draft plan will be the subject of public outreach this fall, including a virtual public hearing scheduled for Nov. 16. The public can view the draft study and submit feedback at metra.com/SNP. Once finalized, the plan will be submitted to NITA to support future regional planning efforts.
Source: Metra News
