Metra (Chicago, Illinois)

Good for traveling around but the conductors you travel with are another story. The conductors are very rude, disrespectful, unprofessional etc. I could say (or type) out names but I'll just get to the point. There was this family traveling to another destination, the conductor was being a jerk and was yelling at them because we didn't pick up our luggage, when someone said to him that he could be nicer about it, he got in his face and was threatening to kick him off. Even though he was with other people. When this one woman who was going on the train, was called a chizzler by one the conductors because she didn't have enough money. Also, this one conductor in particular was being an @$$ by refusing to give this one dude a $5.00 when the passenger had 5 signles, he was also rude by asking this guy where he was going before he sat down, a passenger has the right to sit down before paying for a ticket. I leave you now with your thoughts.

Metra is a pretty good system. It goes to the larger suburbs of Chicago, as well as cities close by. It is a good option if you don’t want to drive. It is generally clean and efficient. More parking should be made available at stations for people who park and ride.

As a traveller, I found Chicago metro system one of the worst systems in the US. 1) the network is not extensive, 2) there are no metro maps to refer to especially if you are new to the city, 3) the ticketing machines do not take credit cards and accept only limited currency notes. If you do not have exact cash for the ticket, you can be stuck not knowing what to do, and 4) the assistants are rude and unhelpful. They will not give you a change, will not give you information on routes and sitting at the booth simple to talk on their cellphones. What this means is- if you are a traveler, use cabs because the city government does not care about the people.

I take the Union Pacific North Line almost every day during rush hours.When there are delays, communication is non-existent - no one can hear the announcement over the PA system and they don't repeat the messages.  When it is delayed due to inclement weather, everyone is inside but there isn't a PA system there.If you need to buy tickets - they should be able to take credit cards instead of relying on a spotty and inconsistent ticket window hour (especially when you you get to the outlying suburbs).  Daily commuters usually have to buy a 10-ride or monthly - put a vending machine in the stations that take credit cards.I have never gotten into my destinations at the published times - it is always at least 5-15 minutes late with nary an explanation.  They publish that they are 90+% on-time - no way.They should consider a new measurement - if the train is 5 minutes late but there are 200 people waiting to get off = it's really 1,000 minutes late.  I hear the explanation of "heavy passenge... Read more

In general, I like Metra. The cars are kinda old, and some lines don't run that often, but for the most part, it's fine. I like the renovated stops, such as 55th-56th-57th (if only they would simplify the name!). I also like how they redid the concourse at Millennium Station (couldn't they leave it as Randolph?).

I've been trying to take Metra to work instead of driving, but in one week I have been late three times because of delayed trains. I would love to commute by train, but I cannot trust Metra to get the trains there on time. It is too bad. I am going to start driving again tomorrow.

I ride Metra/University Park twice a day every day. This is the dirtiest train station out of all Metra stations. Now you have removed the garbage cans and it's worse than before. What are you people thinking of? If we get attached it certainly won't be at University Park after all the people that are doing these attacks want to hurt as many people as possible. There are not that many people being picked-up/dropped off at one time from this station. If the terrorists want to attack it will be at one of the downtown stations where most people are waiting (at one time) for a train. PLEASE CLEAN UP THIS STATION AND REPLACE OUR GARBAGE CANS. Thank you.

A good way to get from downtown Chicago to the suburbs, but the trains really need to run more often, and there should be more coordination the CTA's buses and L trains in the city.

My concern comes from the improved ' Wrightwood- Chicago stop. I am pleased that you chose to improve on the line. However, today, 12/20/04, marks the opening of the new station and yet the announcement did not become apparent to its riders until Friday 12/17/04. I was not on the train Friday and found out today that the station had opened. The trainman was nice enough to hold the door for me and 2 other ladies to allow us to make the 5:56AM train. I noticed that the New Palos Heights station got a mention on the train all week prior to opening and there was a mention of it on the front cover of the 'Chicago to Orland Park' schedule. Wrightwood's new station also comes at a time when we are in the holiday season and many of my fellow riders are on vacation. Hopefully the old stop has been closed with forwarding information. I do not mean to complain but proper announcement and communication is 'key' when dealing with the public. Thanks and have a Good Holiday Season!