Welcome to the premier edition of My Metra, the new periodical for Metra riders.
Why call it My Metra? Think about all the important things you claim with the small but powerful word, my. My family. My neighborhood. My community. My school. My team. These are essential things that define you, support you, help you, and add joy to your life.
We are calling this newsletter My Metra because we want you to claim us, too. We aspire to be that important in your life.
Of course, we are a public entity, funded by your fares and tax dollars. You already own us. But the My Metra concept, which we are also using in a marketing plan this fall, goes beyond simple ownership. It’s about making us sure we’re there when you need us. It’s about getting you home safely and comfortably. It’s about always meeting your expectations. And it’s about communicating our value and relevance to you and the region.
That’s even more critical in the time of COVID-19. Throughout this crisis, Metra never stopped running. We were there to provide valuable service to essential workers in the health care field and other sectors that couldn’t shut down. We demonstrated that we are a source of continuity and connection for our riders, an irreplaceable component of their lives and a vital cog in economic and social life of northeastern Illinois.
So now, as the region slowly regains its footing, we are using the My Metra concept to reassure area residents that we’re ready for them when they are ready for us. Following the guidance of the CDC and other public health officials, we’ve adopted comprehensive protocols to make the system safe for workers and riders. You can read about those protocols here. Our initial advertising efforts are focused on showcasing all the ways you can Commute with Confidence.
There is a lot of uncertainty ahead of us, thanks to COVID-19. But you can be sure of one thing: Metra won’t let you down. We will do everything we can to provide the safe, healthy, comfortable and reliable service you have come to inspect.
We hope you enjoy reading this newsletter. We hope you continue to enjoy riding our trains. And we hope that when you think about us, you think of us as My Metra.
Sincerely,
Jim Derwinski
Executive Director/CEO, Metra