Transit Briefs: Metra, CTA, Brightline
Written by Carolina Worrell, Senior Editor
Brightline train in Orlando. (Photo by David C. Lester)
Metra increases its UP North Line weekday service. Also, crime on the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) continues a downward trend in April; and Brightline ends its monthly passes.
Metra
When Metra’s newest station at Peterson/Ridge in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood opens to the public on Monday, May 20, the agency will simultaneously add four trains to weekday service on the UP North Line. The new schedule will accommodate the station stop and increase options for riders across the line.
The added trains, Metra says, “address customer requests to fill gaps in rush hour service and reduce crowding on some rush hour trains.” The schedule changes also increase the number of trains serving Waukegan and Kenosha and provide additional options for reverse commuters. Metra is also adjusting midday train departure times to accommodate the new stop at the new Peterson/Ridge Station and allow sufficient time for the train to be prepared for its next trip.
“We continue to monitor customer feedback and this new schedule shows that we are listening,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “In addition to the new trains, riders in Kenosha and Waukegan as well as reverse commuters will now have more options. The grand opening of our new station at Peterson/Ridge also provides another much-needed access point to our service.”
The UP North Line has experienced a strong ridership rebound since the pandemic, especially on weekends, according to Metra, which says it is also examining opportunities to upgrade weekend service on the line and “hopes to be able to announce additional schedule improvements later this year.”
CTA
Crime in April on the CTA continued a downward trend in 2024, the agency recently announced. Instances of reported crimes on the transit system “remain rare,” according to CTA, adding that it is “proud to provide safe and reliable transportation to the riders who account for nearly one million rides taken each weekday.
According to statistics released last week by the Chicago Police Department (CPD), which provides law enforcement across the CTA system, crimes decreased across the board during the month of April:
- Overall transit crime is down 6% year to date, as well as a 16% drop compared to April 2023.
- Violent crime on the CTA is down 6% compared to April 2023.
“We have been encouraged to see the continued decrease in instanced of crime as we’ve seen the continued rise in ridership, particularly as the weather warms,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “The CTA is committed to continuing our close partnership with the Chicago Police Department to support their law enforcement efforts, ensuring the security for both our riders and employees.”
CTA supplements CPD’s efforts with its extensive network of more than 33,000 security-cameras and with hundreds of personnel deployed across the system each day, around the clock, and who are trained and acutely focused on customer comfort and safety.
CTA also augments CPD efforts with contracted security guards and K-9 units, who focus on addressing issues like customer behavior and fare evasion, to prevent them from leading to other potentially illicit activities.
Brightline
Brightline recently notified customers via a newsletter that it will end its $399 SoFlo Solo Pass, as well as its $229 SoFlo Shared Pass and $1,199 All Station Shared Pass, effective June 1.
“In recent months, it has become increasingly difficult to accommodate all guests as peak trains are reaching capacity,” Brightline stated. “We continue to evaluate the best approach to balance customer demand—and as a result, the sale of Train Passes will be discontinued effective June 1, 2024.”
According to Brightline, current passholders may continue to use their pass until it expires.
Beginning June 1, Brightline will offer Fixed Rate 10-Ride Packs for commuting to and from Miami. These are valid for 30 days from purchase. To thank customers for their loyalty, the first 10-Ride SMART Pack will be free. Customers are encouraged to look out for an email for more details in the next few weeks.
According to Brightline, the only Train Pass available for purchase after June 1 will be the Miami ↔ Aventura Commuter Pass, which will remain at the same price of $299, with an auto-renew option for a 5% discount. A limited number of these passes will be sold on a monthly basis. These Aventura Commuter Passes remain due to a prior agreement between Brightline and Miami Dade County.
Additionally, Brightline says it has worked with the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) to facilitate a new Tri-Rail express route serving daily commuters between West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Brightline MiamiCentral Station. This plan was recently presented to the Tri-Rail Board and will be up for a vote in May.
