Metra has entered into a first-of-its-kind agreement with the City of Chicago’s Department of Transportation (CDOT), installing a Divvy station at its Grayland Station on the Milwaukee North Line. The station, which went into operation today, is the first Divvy station to be installed on Metra property. Funding for the station was provided, in part, by 45th Ward Alderman John Arena.
“First and last mile connections are so important,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno. “We’ve seen Divvy use at our downtown stations continue to grow and our hope is that increased access to Divvy at our other stations will encourage more people to use Metra by making it even more accessible, especially at stations with limited parking.”
"The Divvy station at Grayland, combined with the new buffered bike lane on Milwaukee Avenue, represents an important expansion of travel options in the 45th Ward. These Divvy stations to the east and at Six Corners, represents a fun and healthy way for workers, residents, and visitors to get to and from our community," said Alderman Arena.
About 330 Metra customers currently use the Grayland Station on an average weekday. A Divvy station will provide a convenient alternative to parking at the station, which offers 21 parking spaces. Metra’s Milwaukee North Line provides ready access to popular reverse-commute corridors in northern Cook and Lake counties. A trip to the Lake Cook Road Station in Deerfield can be made in less than 30 minutes, while those commuting to downtown Chicago can travel to Union Station in less than 20 minutes.
“CDOT is excited to partner with Metra to help commuters make crucial connections to the Grayland Metra station,” said CDOT Commissioner Rebekah Scheinfeld. “Divvy is Chicago’s newest transit service, and by improving links to other transit options like Metra, we are making it easier for all Chicagoans to get around our city.”
The new Divvy station is along Milwaukee Avenue and has 23 dock stations for the bike share program. It joins the more 580 Divvy stations located across Chicago, Evanston and Oak Park. There are more than 15 Divvy stations within a three-mile radius (or about a 15-20 minute ride) of Grayland.