Metra Electric service changes set for three spring weekends

Metra Electric service changes will affect three weekends this spring. Sunday timetables will be in effect. The line will also partially shut down for South Shore Line expansion work. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

On Sunday, April 26, both Metra and NICTD trains will start and end at 18th Street Station. The same will apply on the full weekends of May 1-2 and June 13-14. Metra says buses will replace trains between Millennium Station and 18th Street during those periods.

The temporary changes are tied to work north of 18th Street. That work is needed to increase capacity and accommodate additional South Shore trains.

Metra Electric service changes and weekend schedules

Sunday schedules will apply on all of the affected dates. The Metra Electric Line will run on its Sunday timetable on April 26 and across the weekends of May 1-2 and June 13-14. Meanwhile, South Shore Line trains will continue operating on their normal weekend schedule. Metra Electric Sunday schedules are available at metra.com, with the weekend schedule listed further down the page.

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Stations closed and shuttle bus arrangements

Train service will not run between Millennium Station and 18th Street Station on April 26. The same will apply during the entire weekends of May 1-2 and June 13-14. Van Buren Street Station and Museum Campus/11th Street Station will be closed. That is noted in the report.

Riders will use shuttle buses on the McCormick Place busway between Millennium and 18th Street. The buses will not serve Van Buren Street or Museum Campus/11th Street. Also, the buses cannot accommodate bicycles. Metra advised passengers to avoid heavy luggage.

Pace Paratransit vehicles will serve ADA riders and passengers who have trouble using stairs. They will run between Millennium and McCormick Place stations via the McCormick Place busway. They will not stop at Van Buren Street, Museum Campus/11th Street, or 18th Street.

In addition, customer service staff will be present at the 18th Street, Millennium and McCormick Place stations. They will help passengers transfer safely between trains and buses.

South Shore Line expansion and project work

The construction is part of NICTD’s $650 million expansion of South Shore service. That is outlined in a South Shore Line advisory. Separately, the project includes track realignments and catenary system upgrades that power the trains. Once the work is finished, travel times through the area are expected to improve. That applies to both Metra passengers and South Shore riders.

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