Metra Still Servicing 30-Year-Old Locomotives
Money woes have forced Metra to make the most of their resources, which has meant maintaining a 30-year-old fleet of locomotives—which are well past their prime.
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Money woes have forced Metra to make the most of their resources, which has meant maintaining a 30-year-old fleet of locomotives—which are well past their prime.
Metra says it's adding to its aging fleet, but the previously Amtrak-owned locomotives that Metra bought this year are ranked the lowest of the low by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Metra said it plans to add 42 more locomotives that are used to its fleet early next year. There could be a few new engines in the mix but the prospects and the pricing are still under review.
Illinois is receiving $108 million from Volkswagen's multibillion-dollar settlement after allegations that the automaker sold 60,000 vehicles with software designed to cheat air-quality tests.
One day after the worst locomotive fire in years on a Metra train, the commuter rail agency's boss went before the City Club of Chicago to push for more public investment in mass transit to help replace equipment that is often decades old.
Riders were forced to evacuate a Metra Train in Morton Grove at Lincoln and Ferris avenues Monday night.
Metra passengers have been sitting on a stalled train for more than two hours, after the engine broke down on the way from the southwest suburbs to Union Station.
Metra said a Milwaukee District-West train due to arrive at Union Station at 7:36 a.m. stopped near Roselle due to a mechanical failure.
A freight train derailed near Cicero Monday around 5:15 p.m., forcing Metra to cancel BNSF line service from Cicero on Tuesday morning.
For the second time in a week, commuters who ride the Metra BNSF line are facing major delays, due to switch problems for inbound and outbound trains.
Metra passed a new budget for 2019 on Friday without raising ticket fares, but officials detailed a need for $5 billion in investments over the next several years.
Metra trains on five lines that operate out of Union Station were running up to 45 minutes late Thursday morning.
One worker died and others were injured after an explosion around noon Saturday at a Metra station.
An Amtrak train and car collision Thursday morning has caused a stoppage of Metra Milwaukee District North trains.
Delays and cancellations are already scheduled for the track work between Hinsdale and Aurora.
A major construction project on Metra's BNSF line could cause some problems for commuters this weekend.
Metra trains on the BNSF line are experiencing major delays Thursday morning, after a freight train knocked down power lines across the tracks near Cicero.
"All of a sudden there's a cop at my shoulder practically yelling at me, throwing me up against the seat, handcuffing me."
A pedestrian was struck by a Metra BNSF line train Tuesday afternoon.
Metra Police arrested a man Saturday in possession of several loaded weapons aboard a Chicago-bound train headed from Joliet, a police bulletin shows.
Metra says it won't increase fares next year. But the suburban Chicago commuter rail agency is warning it needs more money to improve its deteriorating system, or service will have to be cut.
Monday proved to be a frustrating day for Metra commuters. Passengers waited for a BNSF train that was stopped due to a mechanical failure.
Metra's Board of Directors agreed Metra will not raise the price of fares next year; however, board members addressed the need for more public aid and government funding, pointing to the system's deterioration.
troubling number of Metra bridges are in need of serious repair. According to a recent report, 61 bridges that carry commuter trains every day have received a poor rating and are in need of repairs.
Thousands of commuters were caught up in a mess at Chicago's Union Station Monday afternoon as Metra dealt with rail signal problems just as rush hour began.
