Used Metra, the Milwaukee District West Line, to get from downtown Chicago to Hanover Park, in the Western suburbs of Chicago Cost was $7.75 per one-way ticket, and there was plenty of room on the 5:10 express train. The ticket agent checked our tickets soon after departure. It's a double decker car, with a very small display giving you info about the stops. They did NOT use intercom on this route, and quite a few people ended up missing their stop because of it. Once out of DT-Chicago, there were only a few stops (Roselle, Schaumburg) before our stop of Hanover Park. Skipping those intermediate stops really saved on time....the trip was under 40 minutes. Haven't used Metra in many years, but still remember their radio jingle from my youth: "You're on Metra....the only way.....to FLYYYYYY!". read more

Metra is so trash, delays almost everytime time with no explanation, I'm convinced they just say delay and slow down the train to screw with the passengers. If you're taking a late night train to the city, just show up 15 minutes after from when the train is supposed to show and you will probably get there right around when it arrives. I take the morning train everyday for work and it's supposed to get to union station at 8:26, i'm never at the station before like 8:35 read more

Metra used to be pretty good. Now it's horrible, at least the Milwaukee road north line. Virtually every day there's some excuse as to why the trains are late, stopped or cancelled. I get metra alerts dozens of times every day. It's like living in a third world country. I've had to switch train lines because I can't count on getting to work anymore. read more

Metra is horrible, they are always late on the UPW Line. Now they are suddenly arriving and leaving early. I do not recommend them at all, if you are always late it does not give you the right to now start leaving early. They deserve a 0/10. They do not give updates if they are leaving early. They should now be forced to give updates that the trains while not leave at for example at 9:40 but close the doors and leave five minutes before. The CEO and COO should step down if they can't improve things. The trains are always breaking down, running out of gas, being stuck for no reason. I understand being stopping due to weather concerns or police safety or safety. But not the other reasons. And they don't offer refunds or discounts due to being late. Horrible company. read more

Metra is late everyday! Cant stand traffic. Sacrafice more time for train but its late eveyday. The train is typically filthy while we have to stop before the last stop to let off the conductors who havent done shit all day so we can watch them drive away before we can even exit. One would think the fare payers should get off first especially since we are late everyday!! Get your shot together you poor excuse of a rail line read more

Ah yes, the long awaited sequel to my CTA review. And yes, I did actually ride METRA while I was in Chicago, so haters, back off. The trains are clean and are pretty quick, most likely having to do with the tracks the trains run on. I found the conductors to be nice and super friendly, but I guess it helped I did my homework before boarding. Word to the wise, if there is no ticket kiosk at your station when you board, they do not hit you up with charges. I told the conductor this and he was nice about it. It is not my fault I boarded my train in a person-less station. From a railfans' perspective, I loved railfanning METRA. So many trains, so many fast trains. During rush hour it is unbelievable how many you will see in a 1-2 hour span. You would think you are on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor with the high volume of trains! (Without the wire - oh wait, METRA also operates electric trains!) Next time I visit to Chicago I will make it a priority to go out to a station outside the city limits and watch the rush go by. read more

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I'm being denied bringing my bike on the train. I know it's St. Patrick's day weekend but I still had to go to work. You let me bring it down and now I can't bring it back, so now I'm stuck downtown with no way to get home because you can't have enough cars open to seat everyone. I didn't know people sat in the designated bike areas. Isn't that what they're for? Absolutely ridiculous. read more

I love the idea of the metro. I love the convenience and how easy it is in theory. Do use her interface is absolutely horrible. It's very hard for out of town. Just like me to use the system when I know nothing about it. What's worse is the stations have lousy lousy, lousy signage and we missed a train because we were on the wrong track and Was not marked at all. Had to ask other people to find out what direction we should be on because there are no signs. I think if you know and you do this every day it's amazing. In theory. Other city's have clear/ better signage / easier to use read more

Delays, delays and delays. And complete lack of communication when delays happen. Pathetic given we pay our taxes and high travel fees.

Navigating the Metro Chicago area on Metra is easy. And with the Ventra app on my cellphone, it's that much more of a plus. I am glad that if I'm departing from a station that is manned by a ticket agent but I'm running late, buying a ticket via Ventra circumvents me from having to pay an upcharge onboard. What I have noticed lately is that the Milwaukee District North (MD-N) line runs consistently late on the weekday inbound line. The train arrives at the Healy stop between 6 and 15 minutes late. Either there are circumstances that cause the delays or there is a revised schedule that has not been published. There have also been times when the inbound trains on the same line seemingly don't run on Saturdays. There is an announcement when trains arrive in the station, so there probably should be an announcement with there are any delays, be them planned or unplanned. Riders can then decide whether to take the bus that stops across the street and get to their destination via CTA if the train will be in holding patterns. Since Metra is seemingly courting riders post pandemic, I am considering getting a regional connection pass with a monthly pass so that I can ride Metra and CTA without time restrictions (e.g., can only connect to CTA during morning and evening rush hours). Being able to take Metra, CTA (Chicago proper), and Pace (suburbs) for a fixed price would be fantastic. read more

Before I start, I want you to know that my 3-stars rating literally means "Metra, I appreciate you are there allowing me and other customers have a nice morning commute. But other than that you fucking suck". And here's why, 1. Price policy. Stupid. Ridiculous. Outrageous. You name it. They literally leave you no other choice than to buy a monthly pass even if you ride a handful of times a month. 1. Zone A to E one-way ticket bought on train is $11.25 ($6.25 + $5 surcharge) 2. Zone A to E one-way ticket is $6.25. 3. Zone A to E 10 one-way tickets is $55.75 4. Zone A to E monthly pass is $173.50 Let's assume there's an average of 21 weekdays in a month that you have to commute both ways. 1*. $495 (285% of 4*) 2*. $262.50 (151% of 4*) 3*. $235.50 (136% of 4*) 4*. $173.50 "Okay", you think, "I'm going go for the monthly pass" and the you will find out that you can only buy monthly pass between 20th and 5th.. Granted, Ventra app is awesome and lets you buy tickets on a train, so the options 1 and 1* should be excluded from consideration, but you'll be surprised how many people still use the paper tickets/passes, which you can easily forget or lose. And there is a category that ride Metra rarely or for the first time. read more

My flight landed late from Midway Airport and I needed a way back to the Joliet area since the connecting busses weren't running. I was not paying $90 for a Uber. So for the first time in my life I took a metra. The orange line brought me here. I got a discounted ticket which was great. They even have bathrooms and higher up seats. It's peaceful and quiet too. It does take a fair amount of time to get to your destination but it was a well enjoyed experience. read more

I left my wallet with cash and credit cards on the UP westline and within few days the wallet, with all the cash and credit cards, was turned in and returned to me. Great and honest staff and I am very thankful for all they did to get me my wallet back. Thank you METRA! read more

Staff younger and not helpful. Delays are frequent. Riding since 1999. Service has gone downhill entire time. Moving to Cleveland . Thank goodness no more reliance on Metra to get me to and from work downtown. Communication horrible. Seats uncomfortable. Slow. Shame US was an infrastructure leader. Now we're way behind. Crooked leaders. read more

I ride Metra 1X every 2 years just came to Union Station no more ticket agents lady was there I asked for help she insultingly insinuated I should know what to do nice warm welcome to a customer in need of assistance she failed to tell me two things would fall a receipt and tix machine did not dispense the tix only the receipt I assumed it was the ticket go on train conductor says "that's not a ticket" and rips up my receipt so now I have to buy another ticket welcome to Metra! -50 stars !!! read more

Metra has become a bureaucratic nightmare. One already has low expectations for any railroad, but recent decisions imposed by their so-called "management" are flagrantly anti-customer. Further, their on-train personnel have become overtly rude, belligerent, abusive and hostile. It is like they hate their job, hate Metra or hate dealing with people in general. Metra is all about themselves, their self-serving political clique club and their own convenience, not the riders. read more

We used Metra's North Line to get from Chicago to Evanston. It's a quick ride--much faster than the CTA Red Line. And unlike the Red line, at least there's some space to put your baggage (we'd taken Amtrak overnight from Pittsburgh). Some of the cars looked a little bit grungy, though. read more

Well I am on Metra now and I am wondering what the delay will be tonight. Metra used to be better, but lately they have been missing their mark with great consistency. They are usually at least 5 minutes late, but with all the extreme delays they have become downright undependable. Just sat parked at a train station because a train ahead broke down. Despite charging a lot, they fail to maintain the signals and equipment. Sometimes the ride is so rough I get a headache. Many of these train care are older than me! Metra you should be embarrassed!! One night, they decided to leave all the passengers STRANDED in Lake Forest. Most were able to get Ubers, but some were not able to due to finances. I opted to split a fare with another unlucky passenger who had a new born infant at home. I emailed Metra to see what they would do about it. No refund, no reimbursement, no caring about the passenger. This has gotten to the point where it has become downright unacceptable. read more

I've been riding the Milwaukee District North Line for 35 years. When I first began commuting, it was the gold standard. Trains always on-time, never late for work or late getting home, except during occasional inclement weather. Now, there is an average of at least one 15 minute and sometimes a 30 minute delay EVERY week, even during perfect weather. This past month, January 2024, there have been multiple instances of "signal problems", with 1-2 hour delays DAILY! Conductors are pleasant and the value for the $$$ is good, but you cannot count of getting where you need to be on-time. Incompetent operations personnel. Trains can be manually lined up to move, they are not 100% reliant on signals, This has become their go-to excuse for "we don't know what we're doing". Filthy windows you cannot see out of, out-of-service bathrooms, and even if you are within walking distance of a downtown terminal and they decide to hold trains for "signal problems", they wil not let you off. You are required to sit there until they decide to move the trains again. Metra is a sorry shell of what it used to be & not worth the interminable delays. read more

today I used metra as they are always safe and clean they have great service and the best conductors that make me feel safe I was having a challenging day , however they had the whole train decorated with Christmas features that lifted my spirit Merry Christmas and Blessing to all Metra employees you made my Christmas read more

My expérience today with Metra was great especially because of an agent who was working on the southbound Rock Island train that left the Metra Station at 12:10 p.m. His name is Myron & as a first time rider on Metra, this agent helped me locate my riding pass on the Ventra app while also making sure I got off at the correct station. What an asset to the Metra organization! read more

Metra - Metra schedule - Metro Stations Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Metra prices which have always been high to begin with and keep getting raised each year! And service keeps getting worse.  Trains are always late and delayed and once you are on them they are extremely slow. And now during the endless hot summer months there seems to never be any air conditioning at all! People are sweating it out and fanning themselves and trying to breathe! And for all of that you get to pay very high prices. As if that is not bad enough now we keep running into trains being cancelled with no announcements even being made! I saw some people calling for an uber as they had to get to the city to work. Others had to call in and change plans! For a service that claims they want people to come ride Metra again after the pandemic they are sure giving a very bad impression to people. Who wants to come back to this kind of service! read more

Would give 0 stars if I could. Trains constantly breakdown. Support offers no reimbursement and you are stuck in a foreign town for hours. So poorly run I assure you if you are reading this you could do better. Chicago puts so much money into metra and gets nothing back. Shame on everyone who's works there. read more

Liars Liars pants on fire ... Always late and always misinformation on when rains are coming ... I would guess that the on time performance is worst that the CTA.., can't give them zero or I would read more

You might believe that you are boarding to get on the Paris, France "Metro"...however reality will kick in and you will realize...you are still in Chicago. This unique sign was cast or replicated out of the "real" molds used to replace the Paris Metro signs in Paris, France. The French Nouveau style signature Metro Signs were designed by Hector Giumard around the 1900s. It was a gift from Paris, France, one of Chicago's sister cities. It was made possible through the Urban League Club of Chicago with the urging of "architectural artifact collector" Seymour Persky. It arrived in 2002 to celebrate the new millennium and was dedicated on Bastille Day in 2005. I would like to thank Architectural Docent, Dan Fitzgerald for pointing this out on the Chicago Architecture Foundation's "Architectural Highlights By Bus" Tour last weekend. Upon further research I found this helpful article... http://chicagoist.com/2007/04/25/ask_chicagoist_paris_in_the_springtime_in_chicago.php read more

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The Metra North Central Service line must be one of the worst in the country if not Worldwide. I would just love to complete one week without major delays (15-30 mins), Avoid this line at any cost people. read more

Haven't taken this form of transportation in years. I finally decide to and on the way to my destination it was great. However, on the way back there is a mechanical issue on the train where the train stops, my kids and I along with other passengers have been stuck here between Oak Park and River Forest for three hours. We were told that a 2:40 train was coming to connect with us so that they could get us to another station to board the train that is suppose to take us to that station but unfortunately we are still sitting here. This is it for me. read more

Not only is Metra incapable of running trains on time they are liars too. They lied about a particular train I was on by inisting it was on time when I know for a fact that it was late. They would not give me a delay slip either. read more

I was in Chicago recently, planned on taking the Rock Island train to Tinley Park. After walking to a few train stations looking for the right connection, I ended up at the LaSalle street station. Sean, employee, was so helpful, walked me thru the schedule, and assured me if I missed my planned connection, there were others. His patience was very comforting! After all, it had been 50 years since I took a train. And yes, I enjoyed my ride to my destination! Thank you Sean! read more

If I could give this rail zero stars I would. I have been in this train for an hour and a half for what should have been an hour ride. We are just inches away from the station for the destination and the train has broken down FIVE TIMES! We are going on a 40 minute delay just INCHES from our location. They need to get their equipment and act together because this is RIDICULOUS read more

Metra - As you can see, inches away from the station and this train will not get it's act together after stopping and starting FIVE times - Metro Stations Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Can I tell you a secret? I used to be petrified of the Metra. Swear. To. God. Let me know when you're done laughing at me. I grew up in the Oak Park-River Forest area and always lived close to the Blue and Green lines. Since my dad is economical (read cheap) we always took the El, the phrase Metra wasn't in his vocabulary. I first rode Metra ride when I was 21 and I was petrified. Not because I thought a stroller-wielding soccer mom might try to beat me up, but because I didn't quite know how the system worked. Since then I've become somewhat of a Metra pro. I took it daily for the 6 years I lived in the burbs; it's like a clique, most people sit in the same car and seat everyday and have their group of 'train friends.' I still take it now and again usually places like Ravinia or my parent's house. So what makes the Metra so great? + Drinking allowed on the train* + Set schedule - saved my butt from sleeping in many a work day + Express trains + Pretty reliable + Rarely stinky or smelly + Air conditioned cars + Bathrooms, if you must stick to the handicap ones On the down side they don't take credit cards, stop running fairly early on weekends, and regularly have switching problems in the winter. Bottom line: 4.5 stars, Metra really is the way to really fly TIP: If you're tipsy and taking the last train home, let the conductor know what stop you want. That way you won't pass out on the last train, miss your stop and spend $60 on a cab ride home from Aurora at 2 AM; or so I've heard. * Drinking isn't allowed on peak travel days like St. Patty's, 4th of July, etc. read more

BNSF, is the worst service. Always late, with no explanation, and will still collect tickets. I don't know of any other job that does this. Every year there is a fare increase . They claim ridership is down. It's down because , THE SERVICE SUCK. I would give them zero stars if I could. read more

Okay, so I had a better experience on Metra. I am giving credit where it's due. 1.) It comes on time. It sounds like a minor detail, but it's a BIG deal. After dealing with the CTA where EVEN THE BUS TRACKER LIES, it's a major shock to the system to look at a piece of paper, see a time and, miraculously, a train comes JUST AT THAT TIME! What kind of magic this be? 2.) Comfortable seating. I have my choice of ground-level or second-story seating and it's all cushy. It's not flat and hard or fabricked and peed/poo'ed on. It's seating I can expose to my skin! Again, should be a minor detail. For this refugee of the CTA, it's a major deal. 3.) Easy to use. The conductor and the electronic system call out what stops are which. I didn't get lost. I am going to chalk my attitudinal conductor to a new hire from the CTA. Don't make me eat these words, Metra. We're, like, totally going out now. read more

I Love Metra ! * It is 99% on time. *Comfortable seats and two levels of seating *Very reasonably priced monthly passes and tickets. *Super Clean *Awesome Conductors When I compare Metra in Chicago with Long Island Rail Road I just get a shock. LIRR is so damm expensive and with frequent dealys I believe LIRR has to learn a lot from Metra in Chicago. I agree LIRR's network is extensive but Metra is also as extensive in Chicago covering almost all the suburbs. One can always rely on Metra when it comes to travelling to a destination on time. read more

Riding the BNSF line is more than just a mistake, its a horror movie come to life!! I started taking the BNSF line 3 months after having moved to Aurora and am learning quickly what a mistake this has been. During the first two weeks I was in a state of denial but began to learned and accept that the madness I'm going thru daily is in fact a real. The train cars are worn out and outdated yet the monthly pass for riding this horror-coaster (for some ppl standing room only) is $178 *ouch*. In some cars, there is no bathroom so you have to walk down to locate one. Good luck getting your seat back if you leave, you are better off holding it for 50 mins *yikes* There is no air circulation most of the time and it seems that when you get in a car where it feels like the A/C is on, it will soon turn off. Enjoy the steamy 1 hr ride. The people are rude and have no respect for anyone, whether a lady or handy-capped, pregnant or ill, each man woman animal to him/herself. You could discipline a monkey to be move civilized than the people riding this train. I've witnessed several arguments between different people, its as if everyone is always on the edge and ready to punch someone - so far no altercations, but I think its not far away - I just hope I'm not part of it. Just a few weeks ago, some man pushed a lady out of the way just so he could get off quickly saying "get out of my way". Ladies are no better. Some lady pushed me back so she can get in front of me to stand in the isle. Are you stupid? what difference is that going to make, there are hundreds of people still ahead of you. Dahh!! People will push and shove to cut you and take your seat. The entry doors into each car is smaller than other metra trains on different lines (UP-NW or N), so each time its a major bottleneck to even get on the train the car. People are loud and obnoxious, the ride is bumpy and loud, so much so that you cant sleep or study or do any work peacefully. Then you have the loud talkers who just dont care. Dont ever put your bag or personal belonging in the 4-seater, you know what I'm talking about. People will come and move it and sit with you. Its a 4-seater but its too tight for 4 people. Your knees touch and its uncomfortable, but people dont care, they will still come sit with you. But you cant blame them, its better than standing for an hour - yes thats how long it can take on an express train from Route 59 to Union. I have yet to see a 40 or 45 min express make it on time. Every day the train is late and there is no explanation. The route 59 parking lot is no better. I've seen people almost get run over by cars because there is no courtesy to yield way to pedestrians. Will it kill you to let people walk to their cars? Its always a bottleneck to even get out of the parking lot. People dont care, they just want to get to their car and go. They dont care if you are in their way. One time (not by intent) I was standing in the area where doors open. Once the train arrived at Route 59 and I got off, I was caught in a stampede of people running down the ramp thru the underpass and towards the parking lot. I felt cheap and weird and uncivilized to be part of it. But what was I suppose to do? It was either run for your life or be run over. People of all ages were running, men and women. still I was caught in the parking bottleneck. Let me end it with this. Today, after a long time, I realized that I didn't purchase my monthly pass in advance and today is July 1st '13 and new pass is needed to get on. I wait in line which appeared to be of at least 200 people just to get into the station which then had a pretzel shape line inside to buy a train pass. It took me 1 hr just to buy a train pass and there was only 1 teller at the window. Of all the days, does BNSF not know people would be buying train pass on the first of the month and staff accordingly? WTF!! I'm not expecting this to get better and I'm certainly not getting use to this. I do hope that my fellow sane riders find this review helpful that they would think twice before deciding to move in this area or riding the BNSF line. If you dont live in this area, run for your life and save yourself from this agony!!! read more

Metra - Metro Stations Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Chronically late. Overpriced. Runs somebody over at least once a month. Technology stuck about 35 years in the past, with no will/ability/smarts to change it. The worst metropolitan rail has to offer. read more

I like the metra so much more than the CTA...it's clean, it's much more secure feeling (well, for being a girl who travels alone every once inawhile...I wouldn't do that on most of the El lines), and it's faster. You can get almost anywhere via the Metra. I've never had a negative experience, but for some reason whenever I'm on the Metra at least one group of people are openly drinking beer (a few times they've offered my friends and me some, so whatever). I will say though, that one of my friends was solicited for sex by some hispanic man on the northline. She was by herself and he started talking to her so she was like "okay, whatever" and then he pulled out his wallet and showed her 200 bucks and asked her for sex, so she got off the train and had to walk 10 miles back home cuz she was so creeped out. I also happened to be going home for winter break the night of the shooting at Ogilvie downtown. My Northline train got in 2 minutes after the gunshots, and luckily I made the transfer to the last train that got out before they halted all trains. Anyway, they handled everything very well given the information they had, and the conductors on our train talked openly with us about what was going on in Chicago. read more

After dealing with metra for the last 2 months it has occurred to me u can't trust them at all so I definitely won't ride their trains or feel safe coming to any intersections with train crossings either. My husband went to cross the tracks in round lake Ill and the arms came down as if a train was coming. No lights no signal right as he was driving thru. Broke the windshield of his car and caused other damage. Not to mention scared the heck out of him. METRA is not claiming any responsibility for this. They r stating "well our engineers say nothing went wrong so u r on your own". I am so appalled. I would hire a lawyer if that wouldn't cost me more than the windshield. Which I still might do. Be safe and always look twice. DO NOT TRUST METRA- EVER!' read more

Hey, this train is pretty good! I took the Metra for the first time today (Union Pacific North from Ogilvie to Lake Forest). The train was on time, fast, and relatively cheap. I loved not having to deal with traffic and there were plenty of seats on the way up. On the return trip I went up to the second level, and unfolded a row of the side chairs to lie down and take a nap! Wonderful. Shout out also to the Ogilvie station, it's clean and modern looking with plenty of eateries. I picked up a burrito and rode the train, meaning I got to eat on my commute (something I hardly could do driving). One thing the station did need are big CLOCKS. Where are they? I feel that's the one thing a train station needs. Anyway, overall a good system. Would RIDE AGAIN. read more

My husband has been taking the same train and same time for 12 years from Evanston to Highland Park. On Monday, he gets on the train to find out that it doesn't go to Highland Park anymore. With the new schedule, there is only one train in the morning that goes to Highland Park from Evanston and it's two hours earlier than his old train. No notice, just switched schedules and when he went to get a refund for his monthly pass, it's not worth it because of the hoops they make you jump through. This has always been Metras mo. No service? Your problem. Train held up? Your problem. Trouble with the train you're on? Get off and find a way home. We are moving out of state soon and am so happy we won't need this ridiculous transportation company anymore! read more