Metra returns to pre-pandemic Saturday schedules on seven lines May 29
Metra will restore full Saturday service on seven of its 11 lines as of May 29. Returning to pre-pandemic levels, in place of the current schedule used on both Saturdays and Sundays, will be the BNSF, Milwaukee North and West lines; Rock Island District; and all three Union Pacific lines (North, Northwest, and West). The new schedules are available here. “The Memorial Day weekend is the official start of the summer season, and with many events and festivals returning to Chicago, it’s the perfect time to welcome back our customers,” Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski said in a press release. The lines not covered by the change are the Heritage Corridor and North Central Service, which have always been weekday-only; the SouthWest Service, which traditionally offered a minimal Saturday schedule, which remains suspended; and the Metra Electric, which already has extensive weekend service. Saturday service on the Metra Electric’s Blue Island Branch also remains suspended.
San Diego’s Coaster restores schedule, adds train for Padres games
Coaster commuter rail service in the San Diego area will resume full service on its traditional summer schedule as of Saturday, May 29, including the restoration of weekend service that has been suspended since March 2020. The schedule includes 11 round trips Monday through Thursday; 13 round trips Fridays (with two additional evening round trips), six round trips on Saturdays and four round trips on Sundays. The North County Transit District is also adding an additional northbound train for San Diego Padres games that will leave one hour after games or fireworks, with an absolute departure time of midnight. More information is available here.
SMART adding five weekday round trips, resuming Saturday operations
Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit will increase service beginning Monday, May 24, as part of what the agency is calling its Welcome Back campaign. Five additional round trips — two in the morning and three in the afternoon — will be added to the eight weekday round trips of the current, pandemic-reduced schedule. Saturday service, which had been suspended completely, will return on May 29 with six daily round trips. “We are excited to welcome our riders back to SMART as the North Bay opens up from COVID-19 restrictions,” David Rabbitt, chairman of the SMART board, said in a press release. “The added trips, Saturday service, and reduced fares will certainly help kick start the region’s economy.” The new schedules are available here.
