Similar to CalTrain, the Metra system provides regional rail service for commuters and travelers alike. The hub-and-spokes system covers most of the Chicago-land area with clean, quick service. It would, however, be much more convenient if they would install automated ticket machines and ideally build an outer ring track so you don't have to go all the way downtown to switch lines. Oh, and I'd appreciate more head clearance--I cracked my skull at least twice standing up from my seat. read more

Constant huge delays with no explanation and too expensive. Would give 0 stars if possible

The Metra is another awesome form of Chicago transportation from downtown Chicago out to the outlying suburbs. Definately convenient and quick, too. Quite a bit faster than the CTA but you pay for the time that you save. It's about double the price of the CTA. The only unfortuante thing is that it doesn't run as often as the CTA. read more

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So I get a call from a group of pals, telling me they're planning a get together, so I say "sweet! where's it at?" They tell me it's in Vernon Hills. And my response was: "Where is that and how am I supposed to get there?" Okay, I've only lived in Chicago for two years, I don't spend much time in the burbs. I typically only venture as far as the El will take me. But I decided to look up Metra schedules and finally give it a go. So I give Metra 4 stars. Because no one on the train terrified me, the trip seemed to fly by, and I didn't get lost. And because 5 stars seems a bit much for mass transportation. read more

Having traveled a fair amount in the US and abroad, I am well verse in the land of public transit, and here in Chicago, we are especially lucky to have Metra. Laid out like a hub-and-spoke design, Metra offers a network of commuter rail lines that connect the suburbs in all directions (minus northeast / east...the fish of Lake Michigan aren't a target customer of rail line). When signal lights aren't out and people aren't behaving like dare devils and attempt to weave in and out of crossing gates, Metra is punctual and reliable. Some of the lines have newer amenities (i.e. new cushions that aren't like an old mustard yellow-brown thing from the 1970s). The folks on the Naperville and Fox Lake Lines are generally stuck with the older cars. Service at the Metra ticket counters in both Ogilvie and Union stations are efficient, lightning quick, and helpful, as are the train conductors. Some of them are real characters who make even the earliest of mornings, or longest of days more pleasant. You really do notice when your regular conductor is not there - it's kinda like Cheers, where everyone knows your face. I take one star off for the poor conduct of one of the line's conductors. Someone who isn't that experienced I think and who is generally very abrasive, condescending, and perhaps racist since he tends to bristle and act like a bully (judging from the tone of his voice and his behavior towards minorities compared to when he collects tickets from other Caucasian passengers). All in all, you can't go wrong with Metra. Save yourself a few bucks and do a 10-ride or monthly pass, otherwise it can get pricy for a one-day round trip / return. read more

Been taking metra for years, and they have drastically declined in performance over time. Today they had the HEAT on in the car i was in (its 87 degrees out...), and when they realized it, didnt even apologize! It was a crowded train (rush hr), and in this heat thats a health hazard! I hope metra goes out of business and something much better takes its place. read more

By far the easiest way to get between the suburbs and downtown. (Pretty much) always on time. And it's a GOOD DEAL. You thought the Amtrak is going to get you to Wisconsin for under 10 dollars? You thought wrong. Very safe. Very easy to navigate. Just make sure (especially if you're going to the suburbs from downtown) that you buy your ticket IN ADVANCE so you don't have to pay the $2 penalty fee. BRING CASH. The earliest the Metra-powers-that-be claim they might possible be able to start taking credit cards is February of 2010: http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/05/metra-credit-cards-tickets.html read more

It's hard to get everything you'd want in a regional rail system, and Metra is no exception. Despite that, I have to say that the Metra system is one of the more practical regional rail systems that I've seen. First, the negatives. It's a highly commuter-oriented system. If you're not headed downtown, forget it. Because it is built on existing rail lines, it is generally impractical to transfer from one train to another, even where the lines cross, and due to multiple endpoints in the downtown area, it won't be practical to transfer there either. Further, trains are timed according to commuter demand, and you might find yourself waiting an hour (or even much more) for a train if your transit needs don't meet the expected rider profile. That said, Metra offers a reasonably clean, relatively fast, and completely stress-free way to get into the Chicago Loop area from relatively far away; trains are available as far north as Kenosha, WI (probably about 50 miles). Seating is plentiful, prices are reasonable, riders tend to be professionals, and the experience is fairly enjoyable. Anyone looking to avoid the driving stress of Chicago downtown driving should look at Metra and Amtrak options. read more

Took the UP-N line to visit a friend in Wisconsin this past weekend. Aside from having to park a 1/2 mile away from the station (which sucked on the walk back, as it was 2 degrees out), this was definitely the way to go. The weekend pass was $5, and I didn't even need to ask for one specifically. Gotta love a nice ticket taker! Trains are relatively clean too (although one had a resident nose picker/booger flicker on board), and thankfully do run on time. However, I was quite thankful to have earplugs on my person, as the other riders had no apparent idea of what "inside voices" are. If you don't want to hear entire cell phone conversations, college girls revisiting their previous evening's drunken outing, or children screeching for attention, bring your iPod. read more

This will be the third time in two weeks that I am extremely late for work due to metra "experiencing issues." I'm generally 5 minutes late due to the train typically running 5 minutes late, but this is becoming unacceptable. I've also been on three trains in the last year that have had engines break. Super fun. Dear metra: Please get someone else to allocate your budget, because whoever is currently doing it is not putting enough money toward repairs and maintenance. I expected better from a system with some of the highest fares in the world. I know you don't get much by way of funds from the city or state, but please know that there are many angry people at this station right now. If you're looking to get stuck on a train for a few hours or wait at the station for a half hour longer than you expected to, by all means, hop on board a metra train. read more

When I first moved to Chicago, I was fascinated by these double decker trains with diesel engines and dignified bells ringing to warn you of their approach. I was hooked from day one. I guess I'm a bit of a train nerd - I really, really enjoy riding Metra. The conductors wear old-timey uniforms and punch your tickets. The trains are ON TIME nearly ALL OF THE TIME and they tell you when a train is late, give you the reason, and tell you how late it's going to be. It's clean and comfortable, and a great way for me to get to work. Yes, it would be nice to introduce automated ticket machines and offer a better 10-ride purchasing system than the half-assed "Ticket by Internet" that involves you mailing them a canceled check, but I won't take away stars for that. read more

Vintage Metra commercial on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIYxaharFEc Read or work or watch the miles go by... you're on Metra, the way to really fly! Though you all might like it. =) read more

4/25 train 1237 BSNF 5:36 leaving Chicago Union StAtion Doors closed at 5:34 - 2 minutes earlier thAn its departure time of 536pm. Will you pay for my kids daycare that charges me $1 a minute each minute I arrive after 6pm? The men manning the desk outside of gate 4 and the railroad police are so gracious and understanding. We appreciate that they accused the group of commuters of not getting on the train in time - we were on time!! If your crew hadn't closed the doors early we would have all made the train. Thanks for being inconsiderate and flippant. read more

From time to time I find myself going to Chicago, therefore I find myself taking Metra rail, specifically the Union Pacific West Line. I get on in Elburn (the first or last stop of the line depending on if your coming or going), where there is no station agent, so luckily I get to pay two dollars extra (if I don't have some sort of ticket already). I don't believe that I have ever made it to Chicago on time (one time the train ran something like an hour and a half late, but most of the time it's only around ten minutes late). Other than that, it is more convenient than driving and parking in Chicago (especially if I will be or have been drinking) and its relatively clean. If only they could work on their punctuality, I'd be a bit happier. read more

I am a 23+ year rider of Metra, mostly by necessity. Here is my most recent experience with Metra, whose trainmen refer to groups of Black children as "monkeys," sexually harass passengers, and provoke fights with regular riders who find themselves short on fare (and then have those riders incarcerated): Usually, when I arrive at the Glenview station, I just narrowly make the arriving train due to the significant distance between my client site and the train station. When I arrive, I often walk from the first car where I can board to the car where I prefer to sit. When a trainman arrives to check tickets, he asks me where I'm disembarking. I tell him, and pay the difference from my ten ride if he indicates a fee for riding outside of the zone the ten ride covers. (I generally get a B to D ticket now because I board at Mayfair in Zone B on the way to work, but have to get off at Union Station on the way back from work due to the fact that the return train does not stop at Mayfair; note that my rush hour train departing from Glenview, which is in Zone D, entirely bypasses zones B and C such that anyone boarding in Glenview would necessarily have to disembark in Zone A - and pay the $1 difference on their ten ride.) Aboard train 2142 this past Friday, when the trainman asked me to show him my ticket, I did. He immediately accused me of "scamming the system" by buying a B to D ten ride and sitting in a car other than the one in which I boarded - which of course demonstrates some unwise assumptions on his part about why a passenger might need or prefer to sit in a car other than the one in which s/he boarded, and why he might board the train at one station in the morning and disembark at another in the evening. He then threatened me with arrest if I didn't either pay him $4 (in addition to forfeiting the electronic ticket that I had already "used" for the ride) or leave the train at the Western station, and called another trainmen to say to him front of other passengers, regarding me: "Memorize this face. This is the face of a scam artist." His interpretation of the situation is completely irrational for several reasons: 1) Not once have I ever been dishonest about the station at which I boarded and the station where I intend to disembark, or refused to pay the price difference for riding to zone A - which again is necessary for those who board the rush hour train at Glenview, as that train unfortunately does not stop in zones B or C 2) Since I always board in Zone D, the trainman's claim that I was being dishonest about where I'd boarded is irrelevant and misguided - my ticket is for Zone D to B, and at the time he checked it, the last possible stop for boarding was still in Zone D 3) There are many reasons why someone would walk through several train cars before committing to a seat, including that certain cars are too crowded, too eerily quiet and empty, too hot, too cold, too far from where one would need to be in order to exit closest to the closest desired destination at Union Station, etc. The strange and antisocial trainman's assumption that I did not sit in the same car as the one where he was standing SIMPLY BECAUSE HE WAS STANDING THERE speaks to his narcissism and his Napoleon Complex. What is Metra doing to help their personnel understand that wearing a blue uniform isn't a good excuse to profile and openly denigrate passengers? I have filed a formal complaint against the Milwaukee District North trainmen, and further action on my behalf is underway. I would vehemently discourage anyone from contributing funds to this organization in support of its personnel or its unearned positive reputation. read more

I wish I could give it 0 stars. Starting with the train equipment and switches: even Metra admits it is all well past its prime, in need of tens of millions of dollars to repair/replace. The train cars don't ever get properly cleaned and disinfected, so you easily catch whatever cold and flu is going around. They are raising rates February 1 but Metra admits it won't solve the real problem; only keeping the train line running. No internet service on the trains. The cars are loud: the noise from the springs underneath or between the cars is deafening at times. Some of the seats have lost 95% of their cushioning so your sitting in a hard depression of what used to be the seat - like a leather couch you should have thrown away 10 years ago. Metra: just give it up. I'd rather sit in traffic. read more

Metra blows I sat at the intersection for 20 mins while these idiots moved 6 trains back and forth from union and ultimately missed my train out of ogilvie, get ur ish together $hit birds ppl have appointments and places to be u cause multiple ppl to miss trains during rush hour is a jag off move. GET UR ISH TOGETHER GENIUSESW read more

Dear Metra Business Owner, I take the Metra because the traffic in Chicago is terrible and this is a good alternative, but: - The conductors are very unfriendly! Not even boarded and sitting u here "Ticket" Not a good Morning or a Please or whatever! - The trains are so outdated! We (USA) are supposed to be the world technology leader! Have u ever seen trains in Europe or Asia? 20 years advanced! - it takes forever! 20 miles ride, 45 min! - usage of the restrooms impossible! Not even running water! The best are the ride price inrease! How can u consider this? What kind of improvements have u achieved? Not even gas prices went up! Overall I would have given negative stars, but I can't! read more

I'm driving to and from work from now on! I. Customers Service is rude. 2.Need to be more organized doing emergency situations. 3. Pure chaos when a emergency situations does arise. read more

I'm somewhat of a train/transit lover, and I live in a city relatively devoid of meaningful public transit solutions. So, on a recent trip to Chicago, I was very excited to take a train from the city out into the suburbs...I imagined myself blissfully listening to my iPod, watching the scenery go by, daydreaming.... It was going to be a treat! Then I boarded the train. Something seemed off, but I couldn't quite place it. Then, as we exited the station, I was suddenly bathed in a bright green, otherworldly light. Um. Why are all of the windows of the train tinted green? GREEN? Really? I don't know if this is ALL Metra trains, or just the freakshow I was riding, but I gotta say....NOT soothing. Listening to music and watching the scenery loses much of its charm when everything you see through the glass looks like it's being boiled in a sea of NyQuil and toxic waste. There's probably something vaguely poetic about watching average American towns fly by the window, looking for all the world like the zombie apocalypse has ravaged them with the help of a horrifying, mutant green sun, but I wasn't in the mood for poetry. I was in the mood for scenery, damnit! Ah well. The train was cheap, fast and incredibly convenient, so three stars it is. read more

You are so behind the times! The cars don't have plugs, the seats are hard & really I have to see a ticket agent to get a ticket. When are you going to stop paying the bigwigs so much money for screwing up the system and start investing in the system. Fire everyone and make them reapply for there jobs and start making the customers happy! read more

Metra and I were BFF, then it was complicated, then I defriended the sh*t out of them. I've been taking the Metra Southwest Service AND Rock Island District to work in Chicago from the burbs for as long as I can remember, so I've seen it all... Positives first... ---The conductors are usually SO friendly, helpful, and do their job right. (besides one instance I will get to later). ---You are allowed to bring booze on the train (besides certain holidays + events.) ---The quiet car. I LOVE that this option is available, so I can sleep or don't have to hear every annoying soccer mom talk about what flavor juice boxes they're going to bring to little Johnny's game. (Although at times there are some rude idiots that like to bring their little screaming kids in this car, talk loudly on the phone/to each other, chomp food, cough/yawn/smack gum/sneeze without their mouths covered.... I could go on.) .... One girl sat in the quiet car with her phone on the ringer that said "BOZINGA!" every time she got a text...... winners I tell ya. ---Convenience. It is really wonderful to have a ride all the way to the city that is close to the L, where I can hop on and go to work and avoid the crazy Chicago winter weather. Driving is just too stressful during the snowy months. Negatives... ---CROWDED!!!! They keep cutting trains to save money, which means you have a very very very hard time finding a seat if your stop isn't one of the first 5 or so, especially leaving Chicago during rush hour. ---EXPENSIVE!!!! They keep raising the prices to INSANE levels, yet make ZERO updates to these trains. Leading to my next point.. ---OUTDATED!!!! Not one of these trains is a pleasant ride. The grinding of metal and never-been-oiled everything puts a damper on your trip. Plus, they keep lowering the seat for some reason, making people slouch uncomfortably just to get a nap in. I understand it's a train and not some luxury vehicle, but they could at the very LEAST fix doors that slam and squeak like crazy. ---ALWAYS LATE. I can remember very few times that the Southwest train was not late in the morning. I had to take an earlier train because of this problem. The excuse is always "Freight train interference" or "Heavy Passenger Load" (bologna) or "Mechanical Failure"..... You would think after decades and decades of being in service, they would know how to plan your trip to avoid freight trains. ---One instance of a terrible conductor.... I was coming back from an event with my mother and sister, when we were in a rush to get to the last train going back. We got to the track just in time and started waving our hands to the conductor to see if we were on the right track saying, "Is this track number 4?!"... He was looking straight as us and wasn't answering. We kept asking over and over with no answer.... Finally, we were directly in front of him and asked him the same question--- yeap... NO ANSWER. At this point I felt he was just having a bad day and wanted to make mine the same by being a complete jerk. My sister finally said, "dude.... are we at the right track or not?!" The guy finally responded, "Why yes, you are here." I couldn't believe why someone who is supposed to be assisting customers in a hurry would act like that. I was already on the train when I said "thanks, jerk".... At that moment, he screamed "OFF THE TRAIN!" I couldn't believe my ears. This guy had the audacity to literally kick me, my mother, and my sister off of the train. I tried to talk to the manager, and they were no help. They straight up said "the conductor has the right to kick people off the train if he feels they are being out of line". The 3 of us had to take a $60 cab ride back home. To top it off, I accidentally left my monthly pass on the train that took off. Someone called me later that found it on a completely different service (most likely where the conductor dropped it off to be a d**k). No lie. I made a complaint after all of this happened in writing, and (surprisingly) the Metra management gave me a free monthly pass for my troubles. I cannot tell you how much this disturbed me. I moved to the city where I work after this happened just to avoid supporting Metra for even one more month. Now you know the trouble I've seen. Metra, get it together, man. We used to be cool. read more

Wow. That's all I can say. Just recently I have started taking Metra while commuting to and from work. Having come from years of riding CTA/Pace only, I was taken aback the first time on a Metra train. The hours I work are overnights, so the trains obviously are never overcrowded, and the fact that I can actually stretch out on the seat and take a nap is the best perk of them all. I can be found taking the BNSF line, and only once in the last two months have the trains been running behind (and it was only ten minutes late). The fares are reasonable ($3.60 from Downer's Grove to Union Station) and you have many options for rides, like a 10-ride ticket, or a monthly pass for only $120. All in all, I'm glad I have the option to take Metra, and would suggest it to anyone trying to ease a commute. read more

The western Metra BNSF station is horrible. It is practically unmarked and looks like post apocalyptic. With a just a few signs and some fresh paint it could be a real asset to the neighborhood . Such a shame. They spend millions on improving Union Station and the next stop looks like it's from the 3rd world.or worse read more

Metra - Metro Stations Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is the "way to really fly." I depended on the Metra several times a month when I was in high school and "took off" on Fridays to go to Cub games (that's when you could go and buy a ticket behind home plate for 20 bucks, but that's another story). Ahhh, those were the days. The only times I actually avoid the Metra is days like the 3rd of July, or any other big event that all of the suburbanites head down to the big city. Seating just isn't an option, and the trains are way over packed, to the point of it being unsafe. read more

Late for no reason a lot, 98% of the conductors are obnoxious and rude (and men). Fare for what you get is expensive. If I had another way to fly, I would. read more

You save me from hours upon hours sitting in traffic. You let me read and do my crossword puzzles. Your seats are not comfortable but I suppose I can forgive that sin. Especially because you allow me to drink beer. That is all. read more

As far as the Metra system goes, this line is solid all around. Over recent history, if I need to get downtown Chicago (e.g., Michigan Ave, State Street, etc), I use this line. The goods: 1. Pretty inexpensive. 2. Most stops- have parking within a reasonable distance or public transportation. Most have short term (4 hour parking of free after a certain point) or metered parking near them. 3. Cars are normally clean. 4. For the most part, always on schedule. 5. The express trains are unreal as it relates to getting back quick. An express train can get from Union Station to Main St Downers Grove in 25 minutes. Normally Downers is the first stop for express trains. There are express trains that just stop in Naperville & Aurora Route 59, getting you in Naperville in about 35 minutes or so. 6. Even during the peak times, there are generally enough places where if you wanted to sit, you could. 7. My rule is to sit as close to the engine as possible. I'm no disaster monger but in the unlikely event of any accident, studies seem to show that those sitting closest to the engine experience the least danger, especially when the train is in "push mode" (the engine is pushing the cars while going to Union, pull mode is when the engine pulls the cars out of Union Station). The bad- 1. Milk runs. What a milk run you ask? That's basically every train after 7:00 PM Monday-Friday & weekends. A milk run train will literally double your travel time (Union to Downers will take between 45-50 minutes). Unless you REALLY need time to decompress after a day, avoid these like plague. BRING FOOD or make sure your gadgets have full battery. Visitors, you may not have this issues in Chicago to the extent that you'll see going to the burbs but feel I should warn you. No matter what, find where you want to get on, where you want to stop, & find the train with the fewest stops. You'll be better for doing this. This example proves that in this case, time is EVERYTHING. Here's what I mean (using the points I referenced): - Milk Run @ 6:45 AM (Downers to Union) arrives at 7:44 AM. - Express train @ 7:22 AM (Downers to Union) arrives at 7:49 (or even better, 7:01 AM Downers to Union) arrives at 7:28 AM. Night Express VS Night Milk Run: - 6:55 PM Union to Downers arrives at 7:15 PM. - Wait 5 minutes for the next train and you arrive in Downers at 7:50 PM. 2. Surcharge if you forget to buy a ticket in advance (provided that a station ticket window is open). Buy your tickets before you get to the train, in particular if you're leaving Union Station. 3. Sometimes the conductors can be a bit surly in attitude but that's the exception and not the rule. Now I see why my Dad decided to start taking the train to work!!! read more

Probably as good as commuter grade public transportation as you can get. it's always really clean and that's all you can ask from anything, that has the word public in it. Oh and its on time and it's fast. read more

Hands down the worst public transportation. Fares increased the past 5 years, service never gets better, conductors are still jackwads, and the seats are god awful. The trains are bad, people are bad, the service is bad, the fares are high, what the fuck? This is close to comcast-level bullshit. read more

Overall, Metra is good. It takes you from the suburbs to the city and back and it is cleaner than CTA. They stick to their schedule and are pretty good at keeping to it, which can be good and bad (no mercy if you are 30 seconds late!). Just not all that convenient to get around for short trips in the city. But that's why CTA exists. read more

I have to give my compliments to the Metra. It's a great way to get to the city. The trains generally run on time (especially in the rush hour). The conductors are quite friendly and helpful and the passengers are (mostly) well-behaved. read more

I was on the same broken BNSF train as another poster. This was a special "express" run on Sunday 6/25. The fact that the train stopped twice before leaving the "enclosed" tracks was the first omen. At THAT point the spare engine SHOULD have been sent to pull the train. Instead the engineer dithered around for an HOUR. What "fix" could he have made ?? I suspect that this was all an act by the engineer to collect overtime pay for Sunday. The BNSF line is owned by billionaire Warren Buffet, I hope he enjoys the fare and tax money he is able to skim off. Suburban tax payers who never ride Metra still pay sales tax of One Percent for this "service". You buy a $20,000 car and pay $200 to Metra even if you never ride it. What was to be a 4:35 departure finally got going at 6:15, unbelievable !! read more

If you're from the far west suburbs, I'm sure it's fine. Those who live closer have to suffer from the terrible service. Express trains fly by us. There are no mechanical errors for them? Do they not pass the same tracks? Every... Goddamn day it is delayed. I take the 7:52 scheduled to arrive at 8:13... It never gets there at the scheduled time and always almost ALWAYS we get halted by an Amtrak. "They'll let us in in a couple of minutes... Shouldn't be too long now." Except... WE ARE GOING TO WORK. We are on a tighter schedule than vacationers! Lately the service is getting worse too. We get young guys collecting tickets who think its okay to hit on passengers working for the metra. If I wanted that I would take the CTA. BNSF get your shit together. read more

Riding the 5:32 BNSF out of Union Station on car #7261. 1st day after a hefty fare increase. Listening to the deafening PA announcements. 90 decibels to be exact if this meter on my android is accurate. It actually seems louder if you ask me. I also have to mention the morning commute. A good 30 minutes late. Station in Westmont locked so we had to wait outside the whole time. Why are we paying for an increase? Been riding over 30 years. Metra is continually descending into 3rd world service at 1st world prices. read more

This is directed at the Southwest Service. If I could Metra a negative rating I would. There hasn't been a week where I'm either late to work or late coming home. It has the reached the point that my employer no longer accepts "late slips" from SWS because we are constantly late. I work 2 blocks from Union Station and yet I still can't make it to work on time. The morning train I take is supposed to arrive downtown at 7:25 a.m. but I still can't make it to work by 7:45 a.m. Again - I work 2 blocks away from the station. Half the time we are late we don't receive an explanation - it's just because. I'm pretty sure the excuses Metra provides are all lies anyway. To add insult to injury starting next year I get to pay more to be late to work. Way to go Metra - you suck. read more

I love taking Metra into the city everyday. I was a bit skeptical when I moved to Glenview from Des Plaines and the city prior to that. The "EL" comes more frequently so you don't have to wait an hour if you miss your train during non rush hours. I was pleasantly surprised with the cleanliness, attentiveness and caring of the conductors and the affordability of the monthly pass. Even though you are not supposed to eat on Metra, they manage to keep it clean when people do eat. Passengers throw away what they ate and Metra seems to do a great job themselves of keeping their trains neat and tidy. As long as I work in the city and its accessible, I will continue to take Metra. read more

We visited Chicago for the weekend, and did not want to pay a high fee to park our car downtown. $7 each for a weekend ticket, we were able to ride from Aurora to Union Station. The only downside was the length of the ride; almost an hour and 20 minutes. read more

I moved back to the Western Suburbs after 15 years. I used to ride the train into downtown from Downers Grove and only once in 7 years was there an issue. Now, there are delays quite regularly. It's really getting old. Trains are often crowded and late in the morning and in the evening. However, it still beats driving. Just wish there was another alternative. read more

I take the 5:55 express from Downers Grove. It constantly shows up late and then they have an excuse for every day of the week. Switch issues, speed restrictions, and I've even heard heavy passenger loading. Every time this train is late it causes me to miss my bus and take a cab which becomes more expensive than driving. I wouldn't mind if it was even once a week but everyday is getting old. read more