The transition is nearly complete, and Metra is now operating the three UP lines instead of Union Pacific Railroad.
Didn’t notice a switch? Good, that’s what we intended. When Union Pacific announced several years back that it wanted to stop operating passenger trains on its North, Northwest and West lines, both UP and Metra pushed for a transition that would not be noticeable to riders.
So, your favorite conductor is still aboard – the only difference is, he or she is employed by Metra instead of the freight railroad. The onboard personnel switched to Metra this spring, following mechanical and customer service workers who were hired last year. We’re still bringing over some engineering employees.
Union Pacific had operated the lines since 1995, when it purchased the Chicago & North Western, under a purchase-of-service agreement with Metra. That meant Metra paid UP to operate the service using our trains but its employees. UP will still own and maintain the tracks, and dispatch the lines, but the trains are now being operated and maintained directly by Metra workers.
We’re still negotiating how much Metra will pay to use UP’s tracks. Our goal has been and continues to be getting the best, most responsible deal for our riders and local taxpayers.
