Articles filed under Metra

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Amtrak chugging away at expansion, high-speed railMay 20, 2013 12:00 AM
One minute you're in Naperville, the next, you're whistling "California Here I Come," aboard the California Zephyr. Most folks think of O'Hare when it comes to escaping but some of Amtrak's most famous trains stop in the suburbs. Can we get more? Amtrak CEO Joseph Boardman talks about expanding service in the Midwest and more.
3rd level of Geneva parking deck delayed over cost May 13, 2013 12:00 AM
Commuters won't see a third floor built on the Geneva parking deck this summer, as Metra has asked Geneva to reject a construction contract that came in 33 percent higher than expected. Metra also said the low bidder didn't seem tobe committed to federal standards for using disadantaged vendors.
Downtown Des Plaines train station to get facelift May 10, 2013 12:00 AM
The Des Plaines city council recently awarded the contract for remodeling the downtown Metra train station to the lowest bidder, Tuscany Construction Inc., of Addison, for a total of $555,800, which includes a 15 percent contingency fee of $72,495.
Is it time to cap Metra fare hikes?May 6, 2013 12:00 AM
In the wake of recent big fare hikes at Metra, one Metra board member suggests mandatory caps on fare increases that are tied to inflation rates. Meanwhile, a lawmaker's proposal would require state legislative hearings on any fare increases. “This would give us market-driven data,” Board Director Mike McCoy said, adding the agency should cap itself “out of respect for our customers.”
Will cost derail Wi-Fi on Metra trains? May 2, 2013 12:00 AM
Can't wait for Metra to install Wi-Fi in its cars? You may be waiting a long time. Officials reeled after hearing equipping the system with Wi-Fi could cost $72 million over five years.
Metra meeting could decide CEO’s future Apr 30, 2013 12:00 AM
Metra's got another special meeting set up for Thursday where the contract of beleaguered CEO Alex Clifford is expected to be the main topic of discussion behind closed doors.
South side visitors have options when Red Line shuts down Apr 25, 2013 12:00 AM
With construction on the Red Line slated to close numerous stations, Metra is trying to capture displaced riders.
Feds: Metra whistle-blower owed thousandsApr 23, 2013 12:00 AM
Federal regulators say a Metra whistleblower is owed about $38,000. The U.S. Department of Labor sided with a former signalman whose job was eliminated after he reported certain signal routes weren't being tested properly.
Wet week begs question: Are flooded roads inevitable? Apr 22, 2013 12:00 AM
Everything that could go wrong for drivers did go wrong last week. But are road closures resulting from heavy rains inevitable? Or can innovative flood-control measures save us from the weather? Asked if costly and disruptive transportation chaos is inevitable, Josh Ellis, a stormwater expert with the Metropolitan Planning Council, offered some rays of hope.
Metra CEO’s future still a question mark Apr 19, 2013 12:00 AM
Metra leaders say they'll go through a "process" to evaluate CEO Alex Clifford despite indications he's on the outs with some key board members. Does that make for a dysfunctional working relationship? No comment.
10-ride sales drop troubling for Metra Apr 19, 2013 12:00 AM
Metra has raised prices on 10-ride passes by about 40 percent since 2012. Could that account for why sales are dropping? Maybe, maybe not, officials say.
Can $382,000 for consultants heal regional transit rifts?Apr 17, 2013 12:00 AM
Can $300,000-plus buy peace and love among rival transit agencies? RTA officials are banking on a consultants' report to resolve funding disputes in a logical way, but if a divided vote amongst board directors is any indication, the answer is no.
Is lack of scrutiny causing ride-free permit scams?Apr 17, 2013 12:00 AM
It's just a coincidence that the minute the state stopped paying to verify people claiming their disabilities qualified them for free rides on transit - the number of folks applying shot up, right? The RTA is suspicious but it's hard to prove.
Do Metra photo ops require PR consultants? Apr 15, 2013 12:00 AM
Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive or a negative newspaper article, Metra's hired PR guns can spin a story in a positive direction that makes the agency look good. But is it worth thousands of dollars? When did the focus switch from running trains on time to image?
Is Metra CEO on his way out? Apr 10, 2013 12:00 AM
Metra's called a special meeting Friday that's expected to deal with CEO Alex Clifford's expiring contract. Clifford took over at Metra in 2011 in the midst of turmoil over mismanagement by the last CEO. Some say there's a lot of disagreement on the Metra board over what's next.
More pay raises on track for Metra staff? Apr 5, 2013 12:00 AM
Metra board directors want to revisit a survey of employees' salaries to see why some workers didn't receive raises. The study already recommended about $2.6 million in higher wages.
Railroad expert from Lake County headed for Metra board Apr 5, 2013 12:00 AM
Metra leadership will get some fresh blood this month assuming the Lake County board approves Norman Carlson's appointment next week to the agency's board of directors. The move continues a slow transition on the board in the wake of a financial scandal in 2010.
The Soapbox Mar 23, 2013 12:00 AM
Daily Herald editors write about pension decisions in Springfield, local high school musicians in Italy and Cuba, and many happenings in the suburbs.
CMAP, RTA merger inches forward amid objections Mar 23, 2013 12:00 AM
A bill to merge the planning group CMAP and transit overseer RTA inched forward in Springfield. But one suburban county chairman calls it a policy that will only hurt the collar counties. The fact is, the status quo shortchanges the suburbs as it is, says DuPage Chairman Dan Cronin.
RTA sues Kankakee over tax incentive program Mar 22, 2013 12:00 AM
The agency that oversees mass transit in the Chicago area filed another lawsuit Friday against Kankakee, the latest volley in a legal battle over that city's effort to attract businesses with tax incentives that the Regional Transportation Authority contends are costing it tens of millions of dollars.