Charging stations at Millennium Station were installed last week and four stations are expected to be complete by September. Metra also anticipates installing charging stations in the coming months in its ticketing area at Chicago Union Station.
Chicago’s Metra is installing charging stations at Millennium Station, Van Buren Street Station, LaSalle Street Station and the Ogilvie Transportation Center to provide its customers with a convenient and free place to recharge electronic mobile devices including smartphones, tablets and laptops.
Charging stations at Millennium Station were installed last week and all four stations are expected to be complete by September. Metra also anticipates installing charging stations in the coming months in its ticketing area at Chicago Union Station.
Ad Loading...
"We’ve heard from our customers that charging stations would be a useful amenity for people waiting for trains and we stepped up to the plate and got it done,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno. “Our goal is to convince more drivers that Metra offers a safe, efficient travel option that enables commuters to access the technology they want and deserve.”
A recent study by the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development at DePaul University indicated more than three times as many Metra riders are performing electronic tasks such as texting and reading emails on phones today compared to five years ago. Fewer than 14% of passengers were performing such tasks in 2010, compared to 44% this year.
The study also indicated that commuter dependence on electronic devices may be boosting Metra ridership, which has grown despite fare increases that have boosted the cost of travel. This suggests that other factors — including the value passengers place on using electronic devices while traveling — may be offsetting some of the effects of rising fares.
“Making the right capital investments so that riders have access to technology is a good business decision for Metra,” said Orseno. “It helps us attract and retain the riders we need to keep ticket revenues up and fare increases down.”
Metra has taken other notable steps to cater to passengers who use technology by installing power outlets in railcars and pursuing the mobile ticketing app, expected to launch this fall.
Ad Loading...
The charging stations were fabricated using manpower and resources available at Metra’s rail yard shops at an estimated cost of between $6,000 to $7,000 for all four station installations. The agency is also working to explore ways to provide free Wi-Fi service in waiting areas at its downtown stations.
Operation Lifesaver awarded $220,200 in grants to 12 states to support rail safety campaigns focused on grade crossing awareness and trespass prevention.
The survey showed that commute trips still make up the majority of ridership, with most riders boarding 2 to 3 days a week, reflecting hybrid work schedules. Two-thirds of Caltrain riders have access to a car, while 37% of Caltrain riders are considered low-income.
Advances in data and analytics are giving transit agencies new opportunities to refine maintenance practices, improve efficiency and make more informed decisions about asset performance.
In this Consultant Roundtable, Carmen C. Cham shares insights on how agencies can create spaces that are intuitive, connected and built for long-term impact.
The Red Line Extension Project will provide the Far South Side of Chicago with rapid rail transit for the first time by extending the Red Line by 5.5 miles from 95th Street to 130th Street, including the construction of four new Red Line stations at 103rd, 111th, Michigan, and 130th streets.
The Siemens CBTC System, Trainguard MT, in compliance with New York Subway Interoperability Interface Specifications, enables trains to run as close as 90 seconds apart, using next-generation signaling and continuous communication to keep operations moving seamlessly.
While recognizing regional economic constraints and continuing to improve service, the budget increases the jurisdictional subsidy to less than 1.8%, significantly below the inflation rate and the 3% regional target, said agency officials.
With more than 59,400,000 boardings since the service’s debut, the A Line’s utilization surpassed that of all other RTD rail services in 2025, the agency reported.
The plan outlines funding for transit operations, capital projects, and freight and passenger rail initiatives, as state officials seek public input on priorities shaping mobility and infrastructure across the Commonwealth.
