’s Monthly Commuter Newsletter December 2018 Happy holidays from Metra Metra wishes all its increase efficiency, reli- customers a safe and happy ability, ridership, safety holiday season. and capacity. Looking ahead to 2019, • Make several enhance- we are cautiously optimistic ments to add express that next year the state of trains and improve ser- will take action to vice, such as more yard address the chronic capital space, more crossovers funding shortfalls that have and longer platforms. plagued Metra and indeed • Begin to electrify the the entire state. With a new Rock Island Line and governor and a lot of fresh explore rolling stock faces in the Legislature, alternatives to increase there is renewed hope that efficiency and reliability Springfield will recognize and decrease pollution. that the cost of not address- • Complete the 75th Street ing our funding shortfalls Corridor Improvement would far exceed the cost Project and Rock Island of addressing them. The improvements to increase region’s economy and envi- increase in funding. ability and ridership and reliability and ridership ronment needs Metra, and We would: reduce maintenance. on the SouthWest Service Metra needs help. • Purchase 40 new lo- • Rebuild at least 10 and create capacity at To help make its case, comotives to increase bridges a year to increase Union Station. Metra has identified several efficiency, reliability and safety and reliability. • Expand service to O’Hare priorities that would re- ridership and decrease • Enhance many stations to increase ridership. quire a $5 billion commit- pollution. with more cameras, We know this is a big ment from the state. These • Purchase 400 new cars to warming shelters, etc. to ask, but we have big needs priorities, outlined here in increase efficiency, reli- increase efficiency, rider- that have gone unaddressed no particular order, aim to ability, ridership, safety ship, safety and security for too long. We hope you improve safety and secu- and security, improve the and reduce maintenance. will join us in working rity, reduce operating costs customer experience and • Replace or reconfigure with the governor and your and/or gain ridership. We reduce maintenance. the A-2 interlocking, the representatives to make this want you, and our lawmak- • Convert 54 locomotives biggest switching location happen next year. ers and taxpayers, to know to AC propulsion to in- and biggest chokepoint Thank you for riding what we would do with an crease efficiency, reli- in the Metra system to Metra!

METRARAIL.COM 2 ON THE BI-LEVEL Winter Travel Notes Kids ride free Dec. 24 through Jan. 4 19-space parking lot one block from the Healy Station. Metra is extending its popular weekend Family Fares Permits are $40 per month. For more information or to program to weekdays from Dec. 24 through Jan. 4, mak- secure a permit, contact Outreach Community Church at ing it easy for families to enjoy the season without the 773-218-1033. hassle of driving. That means up to three children aged Looking ahead to 2019 11 and under can ride for free with each adult during this Next year will see several significant developments to period. Metra is making travel during the holiday period benefit Metra customers. We will unveil an upgrade to the even more affordable by offering a special $10 unlimited Ventra App early in the year. We also will be issuing a Re- ride holiday passes for Dec. 24-Dec. 25 or Dec. 31-Jan. 1. quest for Proposals (RFP) for new cars - and we’re looking Tickets can be purchased on board, from a ticket agent or for alternative designs. We expect to approve a contract for on the Ventra App, available for free in the App Store or new or remanufactured locomotives. The work on the UP Google Play. West third track project and UP North bridge/Ravenswood Parking now available near Healy Station Station project will continue. We will start a test of reverse Metra riders who commute from the Healy Station on commute service on the District North Line, Chicago’s North Side have a new parking option. Outreach funded by a unique public-private partnership. And the Community Church, located at 4047 W. Fullerton Ave., new Positive Train Control (PTC) safety system will be is offering monthly permit parking for Metra riders in its rolled out on more lines.

ATTENTION METRA EMPLOYEES AND RIDERS!

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