All aboard! Double-track service begins on the South Shore Line
CHICAGO (CBS)—The South Shore Line began its double-track service on Tuesday, significantly reducing the travel time from Michigan City, Indiana to Millennium Station in Chicago.
The new service cuts up to 30 minutes off the commute between Chicago and Michigan City. Noah Meyer, who lives in Chicago and visits family in Michigan City, got to experience the shorter ride.
"Being able to go here straight from the train without having to transfer to the bus and skip the stops, back on the train, transferring all the cargo with you; it is a lot more convenient," Meyer said.
The South Shore Train Line has a long history of taking commuters from downtown Chicago into northwest Indiana.
The faster track has been nearly ten years in the making and took more than two years to build. Before the project was completed, South Shore trains ran on a single track from Gary to South Bend, Indiana.
"I think it's awesome. I think it's going to get so many more people to use the train. That's why so many people don't use it: the length, the time it takes, and the wait, especially when you're waiting at the stations, especially in Michigan City," said commuter Mel Shorb.
The new double track runs 26 miles, starting at the Miller stop in Gary to Michigan City.
The federal government pumped $200 million into the project. The state of Indiana added $340 million.
Another $80 million was funded locally, and the Northern Indiana Commuter District contributed $30 million, totaling $650 million.
A one-way ticket costs $10 from Michigan City to Chicago, and the ride will take you less than an hour.
"I think it's a great idea because it is a long trip. And it would be nicer to catch different times," Shrob said.
The additional track has also allowed the South Shore to add extra trains, including several more during the rush hour for riders who typically commute between Chicago and Gary.
