Metra expanding rush-hour service on 7 lines, hoping to attract riders returning to the office

After cutting service during the pandemic, Metra is expanding rush-hour service and making other schedule adjustments on seven lines the commuter rail system runs between downtown Chicago and the suburbs.

The schedule changes are effective July 12 and affect the Milwaukee District North Line, Milwaukee District West Line, Union Pacific Northwest Line, Union Pacific West Line, the Heritage Corridor, the SouthWest Service and the North Central Service.

“We expect ridership to continue to increase as the summer progresses and will continue to monitor conditions and make schedule adjustments that are responsive to our customers’ needs,” said Jim Derwinski, Metra’s chief executive officer and executive director.

The new schedules are available online on Metra’s website.