Metra's 2012 Strategic Plan Survey

Here's your chance to express your opinion, if you haven't done it already. Survey closes today.

Tags: Metra's 2012 Strategic Plan, Metra's 2012 Strategic Plan Survey, Metra's Strategic Plan, metra, survey

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Marcusn on August 10, 2012 at 2:37pm

Thanks! Just completed, and made the suggesting to offer increase bike allowances on trains, even during express trains (rush hour). That could extend Metra's reach into workers who could use multimode travel (like I do).

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Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on August 10, 2012 at 2:50pm

Thanks for sharing! I posted it to my FB page and filled out the survey. I really hope Metra commits to bikes on trains and builds a more permanent solution so that it can truly be a reliable way to commute.

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Permalink Reply by rb on August 10, 2012 at 3:11pm

I completed the survey with very much the same comments- dont make multi- modal commuters 2nd rate riders.

Marcusn said:

Thanks! Just completed, and made the suggesting to offer increase bike allowances on trains, even during express trains (rush hour). That could extend Metra's reach into workers who could use multimode travel (like I do).

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Permalink Reply by April 5.3 mi on August 10, 2012 at 3:50pm

I filled in the comment space: " Metra is wonderful. My new job is too close to my home for me to need it, but my old job required me to take Metra every day. I appreciated the reliable, comfortable commute. Maintaining what you currently achieve is good, but trains are the future and if you wish to become a world-class system you will need to do several things: 1) make it easier to buy tickets, allow people to buy tickets with credit cards and online. Printable tickets like boarding passes would be wonderful! 2) Make the trains more accessible to bike riders. Mult-modal commutes are catching on as they are environmentally responsible and budget friendly. Black out days and confusing schedules (inbound/outbound) rules make it hard for someone who wishes to incorporate a bike into their commute to rely on metra as their everyday transportation choice. I am a member of Chainlink (an online forum for Chicago cyclists) and the question "can I take my bike on metra today" comes up so often, someone created an AP to tell you just that. However it would be much more convenient and would increase your ridership if the answer was always yes. You should consider having a car dedicated to bike storage that way busy trains could carry many bikes. 3) Interconnection with CTA is another thing that needs improvement. On CTA stops that come close to Metra stations, they announce "transfer to blue line, and Metra" Metra trains should have similar announcements and signage to make transferring between trains easy. 4)Lastly. Trains are better for the environment than cars. Shout it off the rooftops. Incorporate this information into your marketing strategy. Ride Metra, Save the Planet, catchy right? Thank you so much for your commitment to service! I hope to see Metra become the world-class transportation service it has the potential to be!!!"

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Permalink Reply by chixieonfixie on August 10, 2012 at 7:18pm

Done. Also asked for increased hours for bikes and designated cars for bikes (possibly during rush hour).

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Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on August 12, 2012 at 4:42pm

I wrote about Metra's strategic plan, and the fundamental issues with doing it, on Grid Chicago. While I don't believe Metra should be developing a strategic plan alone, I do believe Chainlinkers who use Metra (or want to use it more) should send the train company comments.

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Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on August 12, 2012 at 4:44pm

Can I bring my bike on Metra now? Currently, yes. There's only one more blackout date and that's next weekend for Air & Water Show.

April said:

I am a member of Chainlink (an online forum for Chicago cyclists) and the question "can I take my bike on metra today" comes up so often, someone created an AP to tell you just that. However it would be much more convenient and would increase your ridership if the answer was always yes. You should consider having a car dedicated to bike storage that way busy trains could carry many bikes.

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Permalink Reply by clp on August 13, 2012 at 8:13am

Metra should provide earlier outbound trains on weekends! As a City resident, I'm annoyed that I cannot get out to Waukegan until nearly Noon on Sunday...but an inbound train from Waukegan arrives in Chicago at 8:28am...that's almost 3-1/2hrs! The day is half over by the time we can get out there! How can cyclists enjoy a country bike ride? Golfers play 18 holes? Kids attend their home church with their parents? Metra discriminates against City dwellers, and favors Suburbanites! Take a look:

EARLIEST SUNDAY SERVICE FOR INBOUND/OUTBOUND PASSENGERS:

Suburb..............Train...........Arr in Chicago...........Arr in Suburb.......Diff

Waukegan......UP-North..........8:28.........................11:50..............3:22

Aurora.............BNSF.............7:40...........................9:56...............2:16

Fox Lake........Milw-N............7:08..........................10:20..............3:12

Crystal Lake.....UP-NW...........10:23........................11:51..............1:28

I'm not asking for MORE Sunday service...just move those first outbound Sunday trains to earlier departures from the city...say around 7am? If I have to have a cup of coffee once I arrive out there because it is TOO early, I'm happy to do so. And I'll also be happy for all the cyclists, golfers and churchgoers who can have a pleasant, meaningful full day on Sunday.

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Permalink Reply by Serge Lubomudrov on August 13, 2012 at 12:38pm

Yeah . . . don't remember any golfers on outbound trains. My guess they drive ;)

clp said:

Metra should provide earlier outbound trains on weekends! As a City resident, I'm annoyed that I cannot get out to Waukegan until nearly Noon on Sunday...but an inbound train from Waukegan arrives in Chicago at 8:28am...that's almost 3-1/2hrs! The day is half over by the time we can get out there! How can cyclists enjoy a country bike ride? Golfers play 18 holes? Kids attend their home church with their parents? Metra discriminates against City dwellers, and favors Suburbanites! Take a look:

EARLIEST SUNDAY SERVICE FOR INBOUND/OUTBOUND PASSENGERS:

Suburb..............Train...........Arr in Chicago...........Arr in Suburb.......Diff

Waukegan......UP-North..........8:28.........................11:50..............3:22

Aurora.............BNSF.............7:40...........................9:56...............2:16

Fox Lake........Milw-N............7:08..........................10:20..............3:12

Crystal Lake.....UP-NW...........10:23........................11:51..............1:28

I'm not asking for MORE Sunday service...just move those first outbound Sunday trains to earlier departures from the city...say around 7am? If I have to have a cup of coffee once I arrive out there because it is TOO early, I'm happy to do so. And I'll also be happy for all the cyclists, golfers and churchgoers who can have a pleasant, meaningful full day on Sunday.

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Permalink Reply by clp on August 13, 2012 at 8:23pm

Actually Serge, I've taken all the different Metra trains out to play golf over the past year, carrying my clubs. In fact, there are over 90 suburban golf courses that can be reached using Metra, Pace and a short walk. By the time you calculate the rush-hour delays going out and coming back, stuck in traffic, the trip is not much longer...and MUCH more enjoyable.

Serge Lubomudrov said:

Yeah . . . don't remember any golfers on outbound trains. My guess they drive ;)

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Permalink Reply by clp on August 14, 2012 at 6:25am

And I'd be happy to snail-mail golfers a copy of my spreadsheet of those 90+ courses...unless you can open an old data file of AppleWorks. The spreadsheet shows transit routing, schedule times, course stats, and facilities for each golf course.