Metra’s café car concept is coming to a station near you: Here’s where to find it

Metra riders have until the week of Nov. 17 to visit and opine on Metra’s café car concept.

The commuter rail agency is surveying riders about whether to permanently offer a rolling snack/beverage venue.

After revealing a prototype on the Rock Island Line last week, BNSF passengers can check out the newbie Tuesday through Thursday. Milwaukee District and Union Pacific commuters are up next.

Free drinks and snacks will be available during the morning and afternoon rush hours in exchange for completing a survey. Riders will be asked to supply ideas about what features they’d like to see in café cars.

“We created this special car in an attempt to improve the riding experience and maybe attract new riders,” Metra Executive Director Jim Derwinski said in a statement.

“This is your chance to check it out and tell us what you think. Would you use it? What amenities would you like to see?”

Metra is displaying the car on its busiest lines but it also will be parked at downtown stations for viewing.

To create a more relaxed environment, Metra crews removed part of the second level in the concept car, then installed counters, stools, booths and tables.

The idea was sparked by passengers nostalgic for Metra’s long-gone bar cars, Derwinski has said. But alcohol isn’t a given on the café cars, officials explained.

If the response is positive, Metra planners will review surveys, logistics and budgeting, then likely make a recommendation to the Metra board.

Here’s this week’s schedule for the café car concept on the BNSF Line: Tuesday — Fairview Station, Train 1226 at 7:12 a.m., and Union Station, Train 1281 at 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday — Lisle Station, Train 1308 at 7:08 a.m., and Union Station, Train 1277 at 6:05 p.m.; Thursday — Fairview Station, Train 1214 at 6:12 a.m., and Union Station, Train 1259 at 4:50 p.m.

Future appearances include:

• Milwaukee District North Line, week of Oct. 20.

• Milwaukee District West Line, week of Oct. 27.

• Union Pacific North Line, week of Nov. 3.

• Union Pacific Northwest Line, week of Nov. 10.

• Union Pacific West Line, week of Nov. 17.

Detailed stop information will be available soon at metra.com/CafeCar.