Chicago-based commuter rail agency, Metra today announced that it is entering into a three-year agreement with Uber to serve as the agency’s “Official Rideshare Partner.”

Metra will identify Uber as its preferred rideshare provider for connections to and from the agency’s downtown and outlying stations. It is the first time the commuter rail agency has entered into a marketing partnership that will not only generate non-fare revenue but will also help drive ridership by assisting customers who need a first-mile/last-mile connection.

“Now more than ever, it’s essential that we look for creative ways to generate revenue that can impact our agency’s bottom line,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno. “In addition to generating much-needed revenue for Metra, we believe this partnership with Uber will help address the ‘first mile/last mile’ challenge for customers who need a quick and easy way to get to and from a Metra station.”

“We already know that many Chicagoland residents use Uber to get to and from public transit stations during the first or last mile of their commutes. By embarking on this first-of-its-kind marketing partnership with Metra, we hope to encourage even more Chicago residents to opt into multi-modal transit options instead of driving solo. When more people choose to share the ride instead of driving themselves, we can reduce congestion and pollution in our city,” Marco McCottry, GM of Uber in Illinois and Indiana.

Metra issued an invitation for bids (IFB) in July to allow the entity that provides the highest submittal price a list of marketing opportunities to communicate directly to its customer base of 150,000 daily riders.

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ber’s name will be featured on a wide range of promotional materials, including posters displayed at train stations and on Metra trains, timetables, mailing inserts and at ticket office windows. In addition, Uber’s name and message will be featured on Metra’s website, social media channels and in the agency’s customer newsletter. Uber will also be able to distribute promotional information at Metra’s train stations.

The partnership begins in February 2017.