CHICAGO — Metra, which has a long-range goal of adding dedicated train service between O’Hare International Airport and downtown Chicago, will provide a sampling of what that service could be like during the upcoming Democratic National Convention.
The commuter rail operator will offer shuttle service between its O’Hare Transfer station and Chicago Union Station on an at-least-hourly basis on weekdays between Aug. 12 and Aug. 30. This will be in addition to the regular daily North Central Service that includes stops at O’Hare Transfer, the station adjacent to O’Hare’s rental car/remote parking structure that is connected to the airport terminals by a people mover system. During this period, the O’Hare station will see 22 round trips daily, instead of its usual seven round trips. Trips between O’Hare and Union Station are expected to take about 35 minutes. Schedules are available here.
“This service will be a much faster and far less stressful option than driving or taking a cab or rideshare on the Kennedy, which is even more jammed than usual due to an ongoing construction project,” Metra Executive Director/CEO Jim Derwinski said. “And with a one-way fare of $3.75, the trains will be significantly less expensive, too.”
Tickets can be purchased via the Ventra smartphone app or from vending machines at Union Station; there are no vending machines at the O’Hare station, so those boarding there must use the app or pay cash on board for their tickets.
Canadian National, the host railroad for some of the route, and CPKC, which dispatches the portion on Metra’s Milwaukee West line, worked with Metra to make the service possible, Metra said in its press release.
Metra has engaged in preliminary planning for O’Hare service on a regular basis with equipment dedicated to the task [see “On the radar: Metra service to O’Hare airport,” Trains.com, Dec. 18, 2023]. Last year, it ran a special train between the airport and Union Station as part of a congressional event, providing a chance to discuss the agency’s infrastructure needs with legislators [see “News photos: Metra operates congressional special,” Trains News Wire, Dec. 10, 2023].
When I worked in the Loop I have used both the Metra and CTA to reach O’Hare.
CTA is worthless for 2 reasons, no place to put luggage unless you block the aisle or take up a precious seat. The time to reach O’Hare is way, way too long.
Metra requires a taxi or walk from downtown to CUS, but the ride is perfect as the seat is more comfortable, there is room for luggage. The hang up is the ridiculous situation at the O’Hare stop. You must take the shuttle van, which is spotty in timing. Because the Chicago Department of Aviation has built a massive parking garage between the Metra stop and the Airport Recirculator, You can’t walk to it in inclement weather.(rain or snow) Since the parking garage is a organ of the city and Metra and organ of RTA and the state, they made no accomodattion to get station to station weather free, even though they are only 400 yards apart.
Why is this? Because the city didn’t want anyone bleeding ticket revenue off the CTA or using the airport garage as a park and ride for Metra. So they partitioned it so neither can touch each other.
Mr. Bruce must not have visited Chicago lately but may only read right wing media. It is a wonderful city bustling with tourists, lovely parks, great museums and nice folks–not to mention rail (passenger, commuter, transit and freight).
And NASCAR races in the rain too!
STEVE —– Yeah, Chicago used to be a wonderful city. Until recent time, we’d visit it at every opportunity (museums, Chinatown, train watching, etc.) No longer. We are boycotting Chicago because they knowingly elected as mayor one of the most horrible people ever born.
When I want decency and culture in a big American city, I go to Detroit.
Charles, I am no Brandon Johnson fan, but “most horrible people ever born”? Really? He’s up there with Hitler, Mao, Stalin, and Pol Pot?
Gee…will there be police on the trains, so that the convention delegates don’t get mugged, beaten or raped while on the trains? This IS today’s Chicago, ya know…
Obviously have never been to Chicago. There are two police precincts where the bulk of the crime happens out of a total of 33. Are there other places? Of course, just like other towns like Milwaukee, Tampa, Atlanta….there are areas you avoid unless you live there.
This should be happening ALL THE TIME.
Taking the L downtown from O’Hare is a LOOOOONG ride.
I’m with you Mike. Special event service doesn’t do much for me…. How about permanent Saturday Sunday Holiday trains.
They need an express service not unlike the Heathrow Express in London.
The City of Chicago tried to work with Elon Musk’s Boring Company, but they wanted to send automated Tesla Model Y’s down it which is not what Chicago wanted.
The best way would be to use the Metra route from CUS. Even though Chicago has one of the most extensive tunneling systems in the world, its all used for storm sewage. You would think they could use some of the knowledge and technology from that to build a direct line.