Metra: 'Busiest day' ever for Cubs Nation
For Cubs Nation, Friday will be a euphoric, fist-pumping delight with a parade and rally planned downtown to celebrate clinching the World Series.
For Metra regulars who are White Sox fans or hate baseball, it's an ugly commute.
Although the commuter railroad expects to add more trains, it's not even close to promising business as usual on what's billed as being "the busiest day in Metra's history."
"Metra will use every locomotive and railcar we have on hand to try to manage the huge number of fans traveling downtown, but I want to be clear - trains will be crowded and operating off-schedule," Metra Executive Director Don Orseno said in a release.
At the same time parade organizers are telling baseball fans to take public transit to the celebration, Metra is advising regular riders to work from home if possible. The railroad will post schedule changes on its website and urged riders to heed announcements as some trains could be diverted depending on conditions.
The agency is also recommending that passengers leave early or stay late in Chicago to avoid a meltdown during the afternoon rush-hour.
One recurring problem during Blackhawks victory parades in 2010, 2013 and 2015 was capacity crowds at Union Station. The situation could be even more challenging with the Cubs, given the 108-year World Series drought and team's national appeal.
Riders on the BSNF, North Central Service and Milwaukee District lines that use Union Station should expect delays and the possible use of an overcrowding plan that routes people to a holding area near the south concourse and to the Great Hall.
Metra is offering a special one-day unlimited ride pass and encouraging riders to buy it in advance Thursday or by using the Ventra smartphone app.