Chicago Trains: A Week of Ups and Downs
This week has been a rollercoaster for Chicago's train systems, with a legal battle brewing over Metra's access to Union Pacific tracks and some serious incidents making headlines on the CTA. But on a brighter note, Amtrak’s Borealis line is celebrating a wildly successful first year.
Metra's Fight for Trackage Rights
The drama started with Metra’s request to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) for trackage rights on Union Pacific lines. Think of it like this: Metra needs access to these lines to keep its trains running after their current contract expires. Union Pacific, however, isn't playing ball. They've filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that the STB doesn't even have the authority to make a decision because Metra is mainly an *intrastate* operation — meaning it operates within Illinois.
Union Pacific points out that Metra only serves one station in Wisconsin (Kenosha), and that tiny percentage of interstate passengers is basically insignificant. They're saying, "This is an Illinois issue, not something the STB should be dealing with." Metra is reviewing UP's latest offer as of Thursday. Honestly, it feels like a classic case of corporate giants squabbling over money.
The deadline? June 30th. The clock is ticking.
Crime on the CTA Red Line
Meanwhile, Chicago’s CTA is dealing with a separate, more alarming situation. Police are hunting fourteen suspects involved in a brutal beating and robbery of a couple on a Red Line train in Printer's Row. This incident highlights the ongoing safety concerns for CTA riders. It's scary, you know? This kind of thing makes me think twice about taking public transport late at night.
- Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
- The attack involved a knife and pepper spray.
Yellow Line Troubles
Adding to the CTA’s woes, the Yellow Line experienced temporary service disruptions Wednesday morning due to a fallen tree branch. Shuttle buses were deployed, causing further delays. It's one thing after another, honestly.
Amtrak Borealis Celebrates a Huge Success
Not all Chicago-area rail news is bad. Amtrak's Borealis line, connecting the Twin Cities to Chicago via Milwaukee, celebrated its first anniversary on May 21st, boasting over 200,000 passengers in its inaugural year! That's way more than expected, apparently. Officials from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois are all thrilled with the success. It goes to show there's a real appetite for reliable passenger rail service in the Midwest.
Passengers love the comfort and scenic views, and officials are already talking about potentially adding another train to the route. This is actually pretty great news for the region and shows how successful passenger rail can be if it's properly supported. I feel like this is a big win in the face of all the other challenges.
What's Next?
The Metra-Union Pacific dispute is far from over. We'll be keeping a close eye on the STB's decision and whether both sides can reach an agreement. In the meantime, Chicago's commuters are dealing with the reality of ongoing safety concerns and occasional service disruptions. Let's hope for smoother sailing – and safer rides – ahead.
