CHICAGO — Metra is developing a plan to assess stations throughout its system, a process that could ultimately lead to the closure of some little-used stops or additional stations on heavily used sections of the commuter system.
A draft Station Evaluation Policy, presented earlier this month, looks to identify “low-performing” stations, with an eye to developing policies to increase ridership, or a plan of action for stations unable to improve ridership. It is possible some underused stations could be closed, the Daily Herald reports, although that would require a vote by Metra’s board.
At the same time, the evaluation policy sets out a process for considering adding stations, which would require a feasibility study and obtaining funding.
In its initial evaluation, Metra identified 117 stations as “sustainable,” meaning they see more boardings than the weekday median; 93 as underperforming, meaning they see 59 to 423 boardings per day, and 24 as “unsustainable,” seeing less than 10 percent of the weekday median, with 19 to 55 boardings per day.
The policy, if adopted, will require a station assessment every two years. Public comment will be accepted at stationpolicy@metrarr.com through April 15.
I thought the commuter world was for the long term. Someone may use the train daily for years or decades. Same train, same seat…
Just because a station has small ridership doesn’t mean close it, especially of serving consistent riders/ ridership. Sure, optimize schedules, but don’t chase away your long term riders and associated revenue in the process…
John I’ve carried luggage on subway cars many many times, including to Chicago Midway Airport, and on Boston’s Silver, Red, Blue and Green Lines, and subways to Grand Central or Penn Station in New York City. One simply stands in the middle with the luggage by the side, or stands with the backpack on. The worst train to carry luggage on is a crowded commuter train (I’ve done that on a few occasions) as there’s no place to stand.
Adoption of the AB system should be considerd. All trains stop at the stations that are AB, meaning high passenger usage. A trains stop at A stations and B trains stop at B station Every other train would be an A and the next would be a B train. The results would be faster travel time and not lose as many of the current passengers.
I could see this being a problem for some stations on the electric line.
Either the story needs clarification or Metra needs to change its measurement of sustainability. By definition half of the stations will be below the median, which by definition means middle. Moreover, in a high-performing system maybe all the stations would be sustainable, whereas in a low performing system few could be “sustainable.” All that begs the question as to what “sustainable” means from a revenue/performance point of view.
This would be a good way to rid Metra of stops that were included for political reasons when the RTA was formed by Gov. Ogilvie. A good example, Kedzie on the UP West line.
I think it gets just over 300 passenger boardings a year.
Technically its the closest Metra stop to the United Center, but the CTA would rather you go all the way to the OTC and take a bus back down Madison.
At risk stop would be the much heralded but little used Metra stop at O’Hare. Chicago went all out to keep it inconvenient for anyone. Yet Metra gallery cars are much better suited for carrying luggage than the L ever will be. I know, I have done both. Ever took static because your luggage stuck out in the walkway, or it took up a seat? The L cars are just too small to accommodate true O’Hare travelers. The O’Hare CTA Extension does what it has always done since it opened, allows pickpockets, credit card scrapers and laptop snatchers easy access to unsuspecting travelers and a quick cheap exit home.
I agree with previous poster, how does Metra constitute the “value” of a station or stop?
Burlington staggered their stops using their racetrack switches.
CNW simply merged stations and ripped out the switches so there was no choices. One train can’t pass another intentionally without special handling.
I would think with demand management analysis, especially when using digital ticketing. Metra could optimize their scheduling to meet their demand cycles. Not just for the professional workforce, but also for large events in Chicago based on sports, concerts, holidays or special events.
They have been tracking their volumes for over 40 years, I would think they have a good set of data to work with.