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Metra is anything but easy for commuters

I recently began working full-time in the West Loop of Chicago following my graduation from the University of Illinois. I live in the Northwest suburbs, making the travel into the city a painful use of time. The obvious solution: commute on the Metra.

The biggest selling point of Metra is convenience. Ads around the Chicagoland area boast of painless commutes and time saved by riding a Metra train. "Take the easy way out," reads one advertisement. Yet even in my short time commuting, I have discovered that Metra is anything but easy.

On a good day, the train is only four or five minutes late. It services a mass population, so difficulties are expected.

On a bad day, the train breaks down pulling into a stop with 30 minutes left on your trip, leaving you at the mercy of the mechanics. Just last week, the UP-NW train from Chicago broke down at Cumberland and I (along with the hundreds of other riders) had to be rescued by a local train. My commute time shot up another 30 minutes.

Of course, I am one voice among many. It is possible that hundreds of commuters ride the train every day without a hitch. Unlikely, but possible. After a quick search on the internet, though, I realize that I am not alone. There is a smartphone app titled "Is Metra Late," which is an unfortunate necessity for any Metra customer.

Multiple Twitter accounts are dedicated to exposing the difficulties of riding with Metra. Log on and see for yourself; it's eye-opening.

To Metra I say this: stop increasing fares while decreasing the quality of service. Many people rely on you for safe and timely transportation. If delays occur, communicate them. If cancellations happen, refund them. Please, end the madness.

Keegan Gaspari

Rolling Meadows

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