U.S. Rep. Daniel Lipinski, D-Ill., whose Third District covers much of the area served by Metra’s BNSF Line, promised to hold Metra and BNSF officials’ “feet to the fire” to improve service.
“We all understand that problems can occur, but this year the Metra BNSF line has failed all too often. There have been repeated delays, cancellations, broken air conditioners, and other problems,” Lipinski said at a public meeting he organized in suburban Western Springs. “”I’ve told Metra and BNSF that this is unacceptable and the problems must end.”
Metra CEO James Derwinski and BNSF Vice President for passenger operations DJ Mitchell repeatedly apologized to an audience of about 80 people, and promised that they would do their best to address problems on the line.
“This is very important to us,” Derwinski said. “No one wants to hear excuses.”
Mitchell pointed out that while he is based in based in Fort Worth, Texas, where BNSF is headquartered, he was once a resident of the area and rode the line.
“Lately, I haven’t been so proud” of the service, he said.
Mitchell also promised to hold future “town hall meetings” with the public to address complaints and report on progress. He told members of the audience they could email him with their concerns, and announced his address.
The BNSF Line is the busiest of Metra’s 11 lines, carrying 64,000 riders a day between Chicago Union Station and Aurora. It operates on BNSF-owned tracks with BNSF crews. But the line’s on-time performance has hovered around 91 percent, well below most of Metra’s other lines and below Metra’s stated goal of 95 percent.
This past year was especially problematic, with installation of positive train control on the busy rail line, which sees 94 Metra trains, 12 Amtrak runs, and as many as 60 freight trains a day.
Installation of PTC prompted rescheduling of trains to accommodate longer turnaround times. The new schedule was blamed for overcrowding, delays and the disruption of passengers’ habits. Most of the audience at the 90-minute hearing cited these complaints.
“I have nowhere to sit,” said one woman, who said she was pregnant. “You have to address the overcrowding issues.”
Adding to the discontent were repeated breakdowns of the air conditioning units on the “Eisenhower-era” coaches that Metra says it cannot replace without additional funding from the state of Illinois. The state legislature has not approved an infrastructure funding measure since 2009.
Derwinski said Metra operates with the oldest coaches and locomotives of any commuter line in the U.S., but he said the railroad has been efficient and cost-effective in rehabilitating the equipment.
Mitchell appeared before Metra’s board of directors in August and vowed to come up with a plan to eliminate the overcrowded and overheated cars.
Lipinski, who is also co-chair of the House Public Transit Caucus, said he has asked the Surface Transportation Board to oversee operations on the line. But he acknowledged that the STB’s authority does not extend over commuter railroads.
Lipinski said he was grateful for the Metra and BNSF officials to attend the meeting and address passengers’ concerns.
“And they both know that I will continue to hold their feet to the fire until we get the service that we deserve,” Lipinski said.
@Michael Plumeri. I guess I could say the same thing about people who drive the Ike, Kennedy and Dan Ryan every day. “The residents have been paying a gas tax for over 50 years. If they only paid for what it really costs to build and maintain a modern expressway!” When a pothole appears, they shouldn’t complain because they got to drive those roads for a discount!
For the politically minded, one way to get an elected leader to pay attention to a funding shortfall (in any forum) is to degrade or reduce the service levels to the constituency. Constituency makes noise, politicos flap their lips, re-election is threatened, and voila! funding is found.
It’s the normal political funding cycle.
As for BNSF and Metra, when X number of cars break down, and you only have Y dollars to fix them and to save money you have consumed your spare inventory, this leads to car shortages. That leads to over crowded cars due to inadequate consists.
Metra “lent” several spare cars from another district to make up the shortfall, but that costs BNSF money, money they don’t have for commuter operations.
When I see Matt Rose or “Oracle of Omaha” (Warren Buffett) show up at a Metra customer meeting, then you will know someone is paying attention.
Also of note, that line supports many movers & shakers in the Chicago executive suites, if it is bombing regularly, the word gets around fast.
The residents of 6 county’s here in northern Illinois (the ones served by the CTA- Metra & Pace) have been paying a fuel tax on every gallon of gas for over 20 years. Just imagine if the people who ride those trains every day had to pay what it really costs to ride them. They need to quit their complaining and be happy they get downtown for a discount.
So a US representative ignores his responsibilities to represent the subjects of Illinois in Washington, so he can complain about BNSF and Metra, both of which he has no responsibility for and can do nothing about. Yet no mention of the local and state governments whose failed policies are directly responsible for Metra’s lack of financing. I suggest you look with your own party and stop wasting everyone’s time.