Metra to add trains on three lines, adjust schedules on fourth

CHICAGO — Metra will increase service on three lines — including significant additions on the Milwaukee District North and Milwaukee District West routes — and adjust schedules on a fourth effective Monday, Dec. 12, the commuter operator has announced.

In all, 28 trains will be added. The North Central Service will see one new round trip, while there will also be adjustments on the Heritage Corridor schedule.

The changes will come just a week after the addition of trains on Metra’s UP West and changes on the UP North line effective today, Monday, Dec. 5 [see “Metra adds trains to Union Pacific-West schedule,” Trains News Wire, Nov. 23, 2022] and reflect a commitment to make changes “in response to ridership trends and rider feedback,” CEO Jim Derwinski said in a press release.

Milwaukee District North service will expand from 38 to 52 trains on weekdays, with changes including hourly midday service, an additional rush-hour train, and improvements to reverse-commute and late-evening options. The new schedule is available here, with new trains highlighted.

The Milwaukee West route will see service increased from 40 to 52 trains, with hourly midday service, and more rush-hour, reverse-commute, and late-evening trips. That new schedule is available here.

Metra’s two most limited, weekday-only operations will also see changes. The North Central service to Antioch, Ill., will add one late-morning inbound train  and one early-afternoon outbound train. One round trip in each direction that currently begins or ends at Buffalo Grove will also be extended to Antioch. The new schedule is here. And the Heritage Corridor to Joliet will see schedules adjusted on tow outbound trains. That new schedule is here.