Metra is gearing up for the region’s comeback from the pandemic by restoring Saturday schedules to seven lines beginning Saturday, May 29.
“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,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. "We know that people are excited to get out and enjoy activities across the region, and Metra offers them a convenient and economical way to get there without the hassle of traffic and parking."
Saturday service will return to pre-pandemic levels on the BNSF, Milwaukee District North, Milwaukee District West, Rock Island, Union Pacific North, Union Pacific Northwest and Union Pacific West lines on Saturday, May 29. The new Saturday schedules are posted on Metra’s website, here.
Metra will also be adjusting the schedule of the final evening inbound weekday train on the Union Pacific Northwest Line. Beginning Monday, May 24, Train 662 will depart Harvard 15 minutes later than the current schedule at 8:50 p.m. and will arrive in Chicago at 10:38 p.m.
During the pandemic and stay-at-home orders in the spring of 2020, Metra never stopped running. But, in an effort to be efficient and economical, Metra reduced weekend service to Sunday schedules on both Saturdays and Sundays on most of its lines. Metra recently added four weekend trains to the Metra Electric Line, and Metra plans to restore full Saturday service to the line later this summer. Saturday trains on the SouthWest Service and the Blue Island Branch of the Metra Electric Line will remain suspended until further notice. Metra does not offer weekend service on its North Central Service or Heritage Corridor lines.
Earlier this month, Metra announced the expansion of its Bike Car program to the Rock Island and BNSF lines with further expansions on other lines planned in the coming months.
Metra continues to plan for what’s next. As riders return, Metra will add trains and fill out the weekday schedule to accommodate their needs. Customers can expect announcements of service changes in the coming weeks.