Metra should look inward for a fix

If Metra wants to increase ridership and turn a profit instead of turning to the taxpayers they ought to turn to themselves and see how their policies and indifference has turned away riders.

Here are a couple of problems I have observed while riding the train:

• The conductors are rude and don't enforce the rules of ridership.

• The trains are dirty and littered with others' discarded, uneaten food. The trains used to be clean, now they're not.

• It used to be an enforced rule that you could not turn the seats facing you just to put your feet on the opposite seat. This is a frequent occurrence now and it is overlooked by the conductors.

• There have been many instances where people have had to stand on their trip because the conductors only used 7 of the 10 cars on the train. When asked, they refused to open the other cars.

• The decision from Metra not to have an 11:40 train out of the Loop on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. People who want to use the train to go downtown for dinner or a play have to rush through dinner and rush to Union Station to catch the 10:40 or wait until 12:40 to go home.

• No overnight parking in Metra station lots, thus eliminating taking the train when staying overnight in Chicago.

My point in all of this is very simple. Improve your customer service and your ridership will improve and so will the money you bring in.

It's a simple theory, treat your customers well and they will return with loyalty and support. Instead of raising my taxes to stay afloat; raise your standard of operation so your ridership will increase.

Jim Costas

Elk Grove Village