Let Metra be your ticket to Chicago’s inaugural NASCAR Chicago Street Race July 1 & 2 in Grant Park. Metra will offer expanded schedules on two of its lines on race days, making our trains the cheapest and most convenient way to see the event.
Metra will offer extra service Saturday, July 1, and Sunday, July 2, on its BNSF Line to Aurora and the Rock Island Line to Joliet. Regularly scheduled weekend service will be provided on the Milwaukee District North and West lines, the Union Pacific North, Northwest and West lines and the Metra Electric Line. The North Central Service, SouthWest Service, and Heritage Corridor lines do not operate on weekends.
Details on the extra service are listed below and full schedules are posted here.
Metra’s Saturday or Sunday Day and Weekend passes offer values that can’t be beat. Our $7 Saturday or Sunday Day Passes allow for unlimited travel on either day. Our $10 Weekend Pass (available only through the Ventra App) allows for unlimited travel on both days. To make it an even better deal, either pass can be used in conjunction with Metra’s Family Fares, which allow up to three children 11 and under to ride for free with a fare-paying adult.
Due to our expectation of high ridership on race days, customers are advised to purchase tickets in advance. While the Saturday or Sunday Day Passes will be for sale in advance at ticket windows and vending machines, Metra recommends downloading the free Ventra App from the App Store or Google Play, as the fastest and easiest way to purchase your ticket and keep it with you.
Because of the expected crowds, alcohol and bicycles are banned on all Metra trains on Saturday and Sunday. Customers should also expect slower boarding at stations due to increased passenger loads and train crews taking extra time to ensure everyone’s safety.
BNSF (Saturday and Sunday)
Inbound:
9504 – Departs Aurora 7:10 a.m., makes all stops to Downers Grove and then expresses to Chicago Union Station
9506 – Departs Aurora 8:10 a.m., makes all stops to Downers Grove and then expresses to Chicago Union Station
9512 – Departs Aurora 10:15 a.m., makes all stops to Downers Grove and then expresses to Chicago Union Station
Outbound:
9523 – Departs Chicago Union Station at 6:35 p.m., expresses to Downers Grove and then makes all stops to Aurora.
9525 – Departs Chicago Union Station 7:40 p.m., local to Aurora.
Rock Island Line (Saturday and Sunday)
Inbound:
MX04 – Departs Joliet 11:15 a.m., makes all stop to Blue Island and expresses to 35th Street
Outbound:
MX01 – Departs LaSalle Street Station 7:30 p.m., stops at 35th Street, expresses to Blue Island and then makes all stops to Joliet