The Chicago area is coming back and so are Metra’s riders! To show its appreciation to its customers, Metra’s leadership will be meeting and greeting riders and handing out treats in person at downtown stations on Monday, July 12. The effort corresponds with the launch of new schedules and a new onboard survey.
Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski and other Metra officials will be at Chicago Union Station, Ogilvie Transportation Center, Millennium Station and LaSalle Street Station between 6:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.
“For those riders who stayed with us during the pandemic, and for those riders who are now returning, we want to be My Metra for all of you,” said Derwinski. “We want to show our appreciation to all our riders for giving us a chance and letting us show how we provide a safe and clean ride. We’re excited to be there for our riders, and we look forward to meeting them in person.”
Ridership hit another post-pandemic high this week, surpassing 68,000 passenger trips on Thursday, or nearly 25 percent of pre-pandemic levels. Metra continues to focus on getting people where they need to go, safely and reliably, and letting riders know that they can Commute with Confidence.
The “Rider Appreciation Day” corresponds with the start of enhanced service on all lines, including new pilot schedules on four lines that offer better off-peak options and more memorable timetables and service patterns. Those pilot schedules start July 12 on the BNSF, Metra Electric and UP North lines and July 19 on the Rock Island Line.
On the other seven lines – Heritage Corridor, Milwaukee District North and West, SouthWest Service, North Central Service and Union Pacific Northwest and West lines. – Metra is expanding rush-hour service on July 12 to meet growing ridership. All the new schedules can be viewed here.
The “Ridership Appreciation Day” also corresponds with the installation of decals on all Metra cars this week that contain a QR code that connects riders to a new onboard survey. The survey will be used to measure and track month-to-month customer satisfaction and solicit feedback about a variety of topics.
“My Metra is about listening to the needs of riders and the new schedules and new survey are intended to help riders’ transition back to a regular work commute and facilitate direct feedback,” Derwinski said.