Metra today posted online for public comment some proposed modifications to the agency’s major service change policy, which establishes a threshold to determine whether or not a proposed service adjustment is considered “major” and subject to an equity analysis.
The proposed changes to the policy account for the differences between rail lines with more frequent service and those with far less frequent service. They are intended to allow Metra to implement modest service increases on rail lines with low-service levels without diminishing Metra’s responsibility to analyze the equity effects of service changes that have a significant effect on Metra customers. There are no proposed changes to how Metra evaluates decreases in service, which will still follow the current policy.
A public meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 7, 2016 at Metra headquarters at 547 W. Jackson Blvd. in Chicago. The agency will take comments verbally at the meeting and via mail and email beginning today and continuing through Sept. 9, 2016. Members of the public who wish to submit comments can email them to titleVIfeedback@metrarr.com or mail them to Metra’s Office of Business Diversity and Civil Rights, 547 W. Jackson Blvd., 5 West, Chicago, IL 60661, Attn: Title VI Manager.
Since the current major service policy was established in September 2013, Metra has made eight permanent service changes affecting eight separate rail lines. There are no major changes planned at this time.
“We have had tremendous success over the past several years in adjusting our schedules to meet the demand for train service, including our recent addition of a train on our Heritage Corridor line,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno. “Our goal moving forward is to make as many adjustments to our service as we can to maximize resources and enhance service for our customers.”
Once the public comment period ends on Sept. 9, comments will be presented to the Metra Board of Directors, which may elect to make further changes or pass a resolution to approve the updated policy.
To view the updated policy, click here.