https://metra.com/newsroom/temporary-ch ... art-nov-15
Wednesday, November 03, 2021
Starting Nov. 15, the number of weekday trains on the BNSF Line will be temporarily reduced to 86 from 94 and the timetables and stopping patterns of many other trains will be adjusted. There are no changes to weekend service.
Current ridership on the BNSF Line is averaging about 15,000 passenger trips each weekday, about 24 percent of pre-COVID ridership. Metra will continue to monitor ridership closely and will work with BNSF Railway to make adjustments where appropriate.
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Opinion:
Makes sense if ridership is still not back up to levels pre-pandemic. Especially with the holidays approaching when ridership tends to be a little lower and freight traffic is elevated. Freight interference is a big contributor to delays on the BNSF. Freight trains are frequently idling on the center track between Downers Grove and Aurora and likely farther west because Cicero is clogged. There’s been instances where once an idling EB freight is cleared to depart, another freight comes right behind it and idles. This happens frequently by the small yard in Downers Grove. Freight interference is not just taking place near Cicero, it’s now taking place farther west. Add the long distance, Illinois Zephyr, and Carl Sandberg Amtrak runs and the chances for commuter/passenger train delays increases. It’s basically a two track railroad between Downers Grove and Aurora with all of the idling freights waiting for space to open at Cicero. Throw a Z train in the mix and those get priority no matter what. Especially now when supply chain is still severely strained and these days there’s no guarantee that overnight shipping will actually get delivered overnight.
Wednesday, November 03, 2021
Starting Nov. 15, the number of weekday trains on the BNSF Line will be temporarily reduced to 86 from 94 and the timetables and stopping patterns of many other trains will be adjusted. There are no changes to weekend service.
Current ridership on the BNSF Line is averaging about 15,000 passenger trips each weekday, about 24 percent of pre-COVID ridership. Metra will continue to monitor ridership closely and will work with BNSF Railway to make adjustments where appropriate.
—
Opinion:
Makes sense if ridership is still not back up to levels pre-pandemic. Especially with the holidays approaching when ridership tends to be a little lower and freight traffic is elevated. Freight interference is a big contributor to delays on the BNSF. Freight trains are frequently idling on the center track between Downers Grove and Aurora and likely farther west because Cicero is clogged. There’s been instances where once an idling EB freight is cleared to depart, another freight comes right behind it and idles. This happens frequently by the small yard in Downers Grove. Freight interference is not just taking place near Cicero, it’s now taking place farther west. Add the long distance, Illinois Zephyr, and Carl Sandberg Amtrak runs and the chances for commuter/passenger train delays increases. It’s basically a two track railroad between Downers Grove and Aurora with all of the idling freights waiting for space to open at Cicero. Throw a Z train in the mix and those get priority no matter what. Especially now when supply chain is still severely strained and these days there’s no guarantee that overnight shipping will actually get delivered overnight.