Metra today announced a revised weekday schedule for the BNSF line that includes two new trains to relieve crowding on some trains and other minor adjustments. Metra is also adding a train in each direction to the weekend schedule as part of a summer pilot program.
The weekday revisions, which will begin June 3, were made in response to a survey of BNSF riders that was taken earlier this year. Metra tried to accommodate requests from as many survey respondents as possible; however, due to a variety of factors, it was not possible to accommodate everyone or eliminate all crowding on the line. Metra was able to add a five-car train to the BNSF line by using equipment from other Metra lines; however, there is no other equipment available. In addition, there are capacity constraints in the yards, on the tracks and at Chicago Union Station that prevent Metra and BNSF Railway from adding more trains or cars.
The new schedule is available on the Metra website and will be distributed at Union Station in advance of the Memorial Day weekend.