Chicago’s Metra commuter rail system needs to get out of the stone age

July 23 2007

OK, I'm going off-topic for a short rant...next post will be Lotus-related...

I've written about the Chicago commuter rail system, Metra, a time or two before on the blog.  I have fond, nostalgic memories of taking the train downtown during childhood years, and back in the mid-90s when it was the daily commute method.  But some days, I think the system is stuck back in those nostalgic memories.

For weekday commuters, it's a great system.  But even though I now live walking distance from a station, I can't imagine taking it into Chicago on a weekend.  On Sundays, the train runs, at best, every two hours.  Want some friends to visit?  Either they go back to Chicago at 7:30 or 10:30 PM.  So much as I'd like to be a public transportation proponent, the schedule makes it tough.

What makes even less sense is the process to buy a ticket.  Almost every station on the line has a permanent station house of some kind.  Half have ticket booths.  Those ticket booths are usually staffed only during morning rush hour, usually with only one staffer.  At the start of the month, the queue can be incredibly long as monthly passes are sold -- cash or check only.  Oh, and as my other half found out this morning, the address preprinted on your check must match the address on your driver's license -- even if both are wrong, that's ok, as long as they match.

Can't get to the staffed ticket booth during its limited hours?  You can buy a ticket on the train from the conductor, who somehow knows what hours that ticket booth is open and determines whether or not to apply a US$2 surcharge for buying the ticket on board.  If you originate your journey in the city terminal, at least there the ticket booth is usually open.

But having taken trains in dozens of cities and countries around the world, I can't believe how archaic this all is.  It would surprise those who have embraced a cashless society that no credit or debit cards are accepted, not even for the ~$100 monthly tickets or even through the mail order system.  Non-Americans would be stunned to encounter a system where there is not a single ticket vending machine anywhere, not in the terminals nor even in those fancy unstaffed station houses all up and down the line.

The hassles of using the system just add to the reasons that people won't use it.  Maybe they need a usability study. :-)

Ed Brill | Highland Park, IL USA Category:  Travel  Add/View Comments [24]

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  1. 1  Ben Rose http://www.jaffacake.net | 7/23/2007 8:03:34 AM

    Outside of the London undergroup, the UK system has many parallels...except our counters do take plastic.

    The cheque is almost dead in the UK, but the USA's desire to cling on to checks still amazes me.

  1. 2  Richard Moy  | 7/23/2007 8:36:38 AM

    Ed,

    I thought the surcharge went up to $2.00 now.

  1. 3  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 7/23/2007 8:41:03 AM

    even worse! I updated the main posting.

  1. 4  John Head http://www.johndavidhead.com | 7/23/2007 8:48:23 AM

    Now that I live in the city, I take the CTA more than I take Metra. It is funny ... the CTA has answers for most of those issues ... runs 24 hours, non rush hour schedule is pretty good, I can get a ticket from a vending machine, etc.

    Unless I need to, I can walk or take the CTA to anywhere. Especially places like Wrigley Field or U.S. Cellular Field.

    Maybe Metra needs to get on the Red Line a bit more and learn how it can be done in Chicago.

  1. 5  David Gursky  | 7/23/2007 8:48:56 AM

    Well, if you would prefer, you could try taking the Hiawatha down from Milwaukee. I remember on memorable commute from 1 IBM Plaza during my Lotus days when the train literally died not long after pulling out of Union Station, and Metra shunted it off to a siding, where we sat for hours awaiting a repair crew.

    On the other hand, I find Ed's experience no surprise for a region that insists on automated toll plazas on the Tri-State, that charge more for cash customers, so not have the ability to use plastic, and generally DON'T WORK!

    And they say Washington is Fantasyland on the Potomac...

  1. 6  Nathan T. Freeman http://nathan.lotus911.com | 7/23/2007 8:58:14 AM

    Ummm... this surprises you? In Chicago? The home of the featherbedding rail unions!??!?!?!

  1. 7  Richard Moy  | 7/23/2007 9:38:27 AM

    John,

    I used the CTA for 20 years. I still like Metra much better. I still remember going to UIC for classes and getting stuck on the CTA train in one spot for three hours. So I do not have fond memories of the CTA.

  1. 8  Henry Ferlauto http://www.geniusinside.com | 7/23/2007 9:40:35 AM

    In general, the U.S. does not take rail travel seriously.

    I guess all of us in the New York metro area are spoiled by comparison. We have vending machines at every station to purchase tickets, and they take cash, credit and debit cards.

    And many of the lines running into NYC have newer trains. Except NJ Transit which aspires to crawl into the dark ages, and the New Haven division of Metro North (mainly serves Connecticut, but a few towns in New York have to put up with their inefficiencies as well. Both are finally getting new trains in the coming years. But the NJ trains in use I believe are from the 1960's at best.

  1. 9  Mike Lazar  | 7/23/2007 9:44:24 AM

    Ed -- While I don't totally disagree with you on this, I dothink you're not being realistic. Weekend trains are based on demand. They've tried many things over the years to get people to ride, but they don't. They don't run trains hourly on Sunday because they can't justify a crew and the expense for the pittance of riders it would serve. The only weekend train that's full is the one that arrives at Irving Park an hour or 2 before Cubs games. As for the tickets, that's totally archaic and unacceptable. They need dispensers and the ability to pay with plastic. I know they avoid plastic because of the surcharge from the credit card companies. For weekends though, I don't know of a station outside of downtown that is open, so it's cash only to the conductor. No surcharge, but you'd better have the whopping $5 to ride...all weekend...unlimited trips/changes...oh, and that includes up to 3 kids for free per adult. While it isn't ideal, Metra more than meets my occassional commuter requirements. I'll take a $5 weekend round trip price or a $9 RT price weekdays in exchange for somewhat inconvenient weekend times and having to carry actual money.

  1. 10  Dave Harris http://www.wavysworld.com | 7/23/2007 10:58:46 AM

    In KL, the stations are staffed while the trains are running, be it normal rail or monorail, the main delay comes from tourists. But the staffing alleviates the non-functioning machines (no plastic accepted, what's the point for a two ringgit fare?). Having said that, tourists rarely go where they need the LRT or KTM (Ed, KLCC is LRT, I think, given you've been here once or twice).

    As far as the UK goes, Ben, last time I was back, I was staying in London but mostly using SWT rather than the tube, and they were ok, when they turned up, aside from the fact that they try not to accept to much cash, for obvious reasons. Well, obvious if you've ever lived around Roehampton.

  1. 11  Steve  | 7/23/2007 11:23:33 AM

    At least Chicago has some public transportion like that. Here in the Detroit area, the closest thing we have is the "People Mover". the problem with it is it only covers a few blocks downtown.

  1. 12  MIke VandeVelde  | 7/23/2007 11:56:58 AM

    { Link }

    The only staff is security staff. Ticket machines take whatever you have, except what are cheques?? No barter for chickens either ;-) Runs every 10 mins at most. Not 24 hrs though, so don't intend to take it home after the bar closes ;-) New line currently being built, plans for more. It costs a pretty penny to build, although not that much to ride (zone system - up to $4.50), but it sure is nice - and quiet running! Very worthwhile.

  1. 13  Richard Moy  | 7/23/2007 2:07:39 PM

    @8

    Chicago has a very extensive railroad coverage. Not as big as New York, but it covers a pretty big area include lower Wisconsin and Northwest Indiana. You use to be able to get a commuter train from Michigan but they terminated that many years ago. The Metra trains here are pretty reliable and on time, at least the North Shore branch. I take it all the time when we meet for the GRANITE Lotus USer Group meetings and for client meetings. Parking in downtown Chicago is very expensive so this is a much better alternative. It also helps that my office is 50 yards from the train station here in Evanston, IL. But I do miss the "Bar and Lounge" car. You use to be able to get a good stiff drink after a hard days work.

  1. 14  Brian Benz http://www.softwaresoapbox.com | 7/23/2007 8:07:03 PM

    This brings back unfond memories of the commuter rail system in Philadelphia. Same thing, basically. I was amazed at the conductors and the cash system in this day and age....

    I used to take the commuter train from my home in Jenkintown to the airport. Had to stop eventually....The trains were often a half hour late, and there was no place for luggage. On an Airport express train. The final straw for me was when they changed the schedule so you and your luggage had to change trains twice on what used to be a 45 minute ride, extending it to an hour and a half, longer if your original train was late and you missed a connection....Later, they cut back on the schedule, claiming lack of ridership....Like the weekend ridership in Chicago, seems like a self-fulfilling prophecy to me....

  1. 15  Mark Hazlitt  | 7/24/2007 9:51:07 AM

    @9

    I agree that Metra has problems getting people to ride their trains at weekends. Unfortunately it is a bit of a chicken and egg problem. In Europe they used the same policy that Metra has now, until they realized that people will only START using the train if their is a good frequent service. One of the challenges Metra faces is that the type of locomotives and rolling stock are very expensive to run if there are only a few passengers. The current design seems to come from the 1930's, just go to a railroad museum to see the originals! It is unfortunate that they have not invested in lightweight multiple units, that can be run by a single person. This would allow them to run trains with the capacity to match the ridership, and at a much lower cost.

    With regard to not taking credit/debit cards, I would point out that whatever way you collect money their is a cost associated with it. Cash and checks need to be counted and taken to the bank. I assume that the staff who do this do not work for free! Credit/debit cards have a number of benefits such as electronic transfer of funds. I can't believe the additional charge is that great, even McDonalds accepts electronic payment these days.

  1. 16  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 7/24/2007 10:07:58 AM

    The explanation offered by Metra customer service yesterday was that it costs money (transaction fee, presumably) to take credit cards. So Mike has the right story there. However, @15 Mark makes a good point, and more importantly, I bet Metra could do as the State of Illinois does, and charge a "convenience charge" / transaction fee for people to use a credit/debit card and they would likely come out ahead (both more riders and whatever small percentage of the convenience fee they keep for themselves).

    Closed minds. Shame.

  1. 17  Henry Ferlauto http://www.geniusinside.com | 7/24/2007 11:04:56 AM

    Ed @16 - You should ask them (in writing) what the cost of processing cash is.

    Cash has to be counted (at least once, if not two or three times); so there's labor involved.

    The cash needs to be deposited, so that means more armored car deliveries.

    And many commercial banks charge a fee for processing cash (and change).

    If Metra can't negotiate a good rate for the cards, they need to hire some new negotiators.

    Closed minds indeed.

  1. 18  Mike Lazar  | 7/24/2007 11:56:16 AM

    My last thought here...while I'd love to have hourly service on the weekends, it's just not going to happen with the current infrastructure. From what I've heard, there's no plans to replace the existing trains with lightweight and flexible counterparts. The new engines I've seen are those sleeker looking diesels, so they aren't moving away from those at all. However, when you look at what it costs to drive, the inconvenience can be viewed as "you get what you pay for". For me to drive from way out in the sticks to downtown is 110 miles round trip. Let's call that 4 gallons in my car, so that's $13. Now I have to park. No way that's less than $20 for the day. If I drive for a meeting that's not within the 10-2 window, I've got a minimum of 3.5 hours of travel time...stressful driving travel time. So, I've spent a minimum of $33 and I have to concentrate for 3-4 hours. If you use the gov't rate of $0.48/mile, it's actually a $73 trip. Using my 10 ride Metra pass, I'm @ $9 round trip, and my total car trip is shaved to 8 miles. I'm at $10 with gas, or $13 using gov't calcs. Oops! Forgot the $1.25 to park in Crystal Lake now. Let's call it $12-$15 to be safe. Door-to-door is about 90 minutes each way. However, only 5 of those are spent doing any driving. The other 85 I can sleep, read, work, or grab a drink as Richard fondly remembers. You can buy a big can of beer at the station for $2 and carry it on. As long as it's not glass, it's OK. So, in the end I save a minimum of $20, more likely $60, and I am avoiding the evils of driving I-90 where the road is always under some major construction, and everyone is rude and inconsiderate because they are late. The numbers only look better if I have to be downtown at 8 or 9. Driving at that time would usually take 2-2.5 hours to get to Chicago. No thanks to that.

  1. 19  Judy Brill  | 7/24/2007 1:39:56 PM

    As Ed knows, I took the Metra into the city for 11-1/2 years, ending 3-1/2 years ago. Although I never really liked the train because of being stuck to their schedules, considering the alternative of drivng in on the Edens and Kennedy every day and then paying downtown Chicago parking rates, it was a no brainer. And the train was on time most of the time and there was adequate parking at the stations. Although you did have to send a check, the by mail system was an easy way to get your ticket. Why people were in line at the beginning of every month was a mystery. I guess they just didn't "Plan Ahead". If it was because they don't use the train regularly, they can buy 10 ride tickets anytime. Although not exactly high tech., the train was somewhat nostalgic. My only improvement would have been a designated "quiet" car somewhat like the old smoking car. With a lot of people on their cell phones, I couldn't always get in my nap on the way to work. On Metra, you can get a seat 99% of the time. Having commuted on the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) for many years, getting a seat was a luxury.

  1. 20  Axel  | 7/25/2007 5:31:09 PM

    In weekends commutation system of german cities we have a 2 hours break, too. Between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. :-)

    Here they modernize trains and stations, though more in the long distance sector.

    Anyway, all this modern high speed train stuff has its own quirks. Once I wanted to catch a train to visit a customer 250 km to the west from Hannover. Unfortuatedly I entered the train in the wrong direction. I told the conductor that I will get out in the next station no problem, Wolfsburg I supposed(80 km to the east). She responded that this train is heading non stop to Berlin 300 km to the east. This takes only 1.5 hours, but in my case it was round trip (waiting included 3.5 hours). I did no have to pay.

  1. 21  Matt M  | 8/21/2007 3:23:04 PM

    It's about time they switch. I posted this on the Trib's forums but the following have credit access:

    Chicago, get with the times...

    The systems that use them are as followed, and the last one doesn’t even accept checks.

    New York - MTA and Metro

    Washington - Metrorail

    San Francisco – Bart

    Boston – MBTA

    Philadelphia - SEPTA

    London – Tube, note: From 15 July 2007, London Underground ticket offices and London Travel Information Centers stopped accepting personal checks as payment for tickets.

    Their Union will never let this change with the times. They would rather I take my checkbook out for only one thing a month... METRA! and keep jobs that aren't needed alive. I'm not saying I don't appreciate these people, but business is business, and people need to adapt to earn a living.

  1. 22  Matt M  | 8/21/2007 3:32:39 PM

    PS: I think you need some of you're voices heard in this thread: { Link }

  1. 23  D Rock  | 9/6/2007 10:47:27 AM

    - Credit cards are coming to the CTA this fall.

    - I suspect they come to Metra soon thereafter.

    - There are ticket vending machines on the Electric line.

    - BNSF and Electric services are much more frequent.

    While you may deride your local Metra frequency, the agency is very well-run; I believe they are the US commuter RR closest to being profitable.

    As for Mike's claim of frequency being limited because of heavy diesel engines: nonsense. The BNSF is frequent and makes many closely-spaced stops -- with diesel engines.