The Metra Electric Line is set to enhance its service offerings from Millennium Station Downtown through the South Side and south suburbs beginning June 15. This move is expected to significantly improve transportation options for local commuters.
Expanded Service in Hyde Park
All weekday trains inbound to Millennium Station will now stop at key Hyde Park stations, including 51st/53rd, 55th-56th-57th, and 59th/University of Chicago. Midday service at these stations will also see an increase, with trains stopping every 20 minutes on average.
Outbound express trains to University Park will include a stop at 55th-56th-57th, enhancing connectivity for passengers traveling to and from the area.
Additional Stops and Extended Hours
New stops will be added at 79th/Chatham, 87th/Woodruff, and 103rd/Rosemoor stations for select trains on both weekdays and weekends. Along the South Chicago branch, evening inbound service will be extended by two hours, and morning outbound service will be extended by 40 minutes.
The Blue Island branch will also benefit from more frequent service, with midday trains arriving hourly or better. All midday local trains previously serving stations between Kensington/115th Street and Millennium Station will now also serve the Blue Island Branch.
Funding and Future Prospects
This service expansion is part of a broader initiative supported by the new Northern Illinois Transit Authority, which replaced the Regional Transportation Authority. A quarter-percent sales tax increase, effective August 1, will fund these improvements, expected to raise $1.5 billion annually for public transit.
Governor JB Pritzker highlighted the importance of these changes, stating they will provide more dependable transportation options, connecting riders to jobs, neighborhoods, and destinations like the Obama Presidential Center.
In addition to the Metra Electric Line, the Rock Island line has also seen service increases, with 18 more train trips on weekends and four more trips on weekdays. Regular stops will replace “flag stops” to ensure consistent service across all stations.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
