Here’s something that has not been heard often since the COVID-19 pandemic decimated local mass transit ridership.
Four more trains are being added on Metra’s UP-North route, which has three stations in Evanston, in the words of a Metra news release, “to reduce crowding on some rush hour trains.”
That’s right. Commuter train ridership has been coming back, although it’s still below pre-pandemic levels.
Still, to help reduce the number of rush hour standees, as well as to “fill gaps in rush hour service,” two inbound morning trains, one from Waukegan (Lv. 5:35 a.m.) and one from Winnetka (Lv. 7:53 a.m.), and two outbound trains from Chicago, one “reverse commute” in the morning to Highland Park (Lv. downtown Chi. 6:40 a.m.), and one PM rush train to Winnetka (Lv. Chi 4:50 p.m.) will also be added. All new trains will stop at the three Evanston stations, at Main, Davis and Central streets.
The new service begins on May 20, the same day that Metra opens a new station in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago. The stop, called Peterson/Ridge, is located between the Rogers Park and Ravenswood stations.
In a press statement, Metra CEO Jim Derwinski said, “We continue to monitor customer feedback and the new schedule shows that we are listening.”
The four new trains will bring Metra’s weekday total on the UP-North line to 71. There are fewer trains on weekends and holidays.
Systemwide, Metra carried 55% of weekday ridership in March compared with the same pre-pandemic month five years ago.
However, the UP-North line through Evanston has shown a much stronger recovery, with 69% of weekday riders returning. That’s best among Metra’s 11 routes.
Weekends are even stronger, with Saturday and Sunday passenger counts running ahead of pre-pandemic levels on UP-North, and nearly back to normal on weekends systemwide.
In its announcement of the new trains and new station, Metra notes the Saturday/Sunday growth on UP-N, and says the agency is “examining opportunities to upgrade weekend service on the line and hopes to announce additional schedule improvements later this year.”
As for the new station, Peterson/Ridge reflects the current reality of commuter rail.
Unlike most of the older stops, such as those in Evanston, Peterson/Ridge has enclosed shelters, as opposed to the traditional depot.
Such shelters have human french fry warmers to stand underneath during brutal Chicago winters.
And if you want to buy a “ticket to ride,” you won’t find a ticket agent to sell you one. In fact, you won’t find an agent at any Metra stations.
Earlier this year, the rail system eliminated ticket agents at what used be staffed stations (Davis Street was the only one in Evanston). Now, at all stops, passengers have to use ticket machines or the Metra app, or buy tickets onboard from the conductor.
While adding service and opening a station are good signs, there are still plenty of red flags (or red signals for trains) for Metra, CTA and the Pace suburban bus system.
Despite recent growth, pandemic-related changes in work habits (staying at home, or going to the office only three days a week) may mean bus and train ridership may never get back to pre-COVID levels.
For example, systemwide in March Metra provided 2.7 million rides, down from 6.5 million in the same month five years ago.
When federal COVID relief money runs out, the Regional Transportation Authority faces what’s being called a “fiscal cliff,” a $730 million dollar deficit in 2026, spread among the three transit services under the RTA umbrella.
That’s why Metra is trying to re-invent itself as “regional rail,” with more off-peak and weekend trains, to reduce dependence on rush hour traffic.
But unless more funding is found — and RTA is working on a variety options, including more state aid and additional taxes — train and bus service in our area could face draconian fare increases, service reductions and layoffs.
If that’s the case, those four new trains, and a lot of others, might face the ax.