Metra Electric trains suspended through Thursday because of cold

Metra Electric service was suspended through Thursday due to freezing temperatures brought on by the polar vortex.

Metra initially suspended service on the south suburban Metra Electric District line Wednesday morning because the cold was causing wire problems, according to an alert from the transit agency.

Officials later decided to suspend service for the rest of the day and all day Thursday, according to Metra. Train service was expected to resume by Friday morning.

Two Pace buses will be stationed at Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street near Millennium Station on Wednesdat afternoon to provide limited service for Metra Electric riders, Metra said. They will arrive at 4 p.m. and depart at 4:30 p.m.

One of the buses will make stops at the Kensington, Riverdale, Ivanhoe, 147th Street, Harvey, Hazel Crest, Calumet and Homewood stations, Metra said. The other will stop at Flossmoor, Olympia Fields, 211th Street, Matteson, Richton Park and University Park.

Metra Electric riders were also advised to consider Metra’s Rock Island District line as an alternate, Metra said. The CTA will also honor Metra Electric tickets on the Red Line and the 71, 26, 6, J14, 2 and 1 buses.

Other Metra lines were operating on modified schedules on Wednesday and Thursday.