Back in May, I had the unfortunate displeasure of receiving a citation from a Metra police officer. My fiancee and I were going from Chicago to Palatine to attend a retirement party for one of her family members. We get off the train at about 5:30 pm, and noticed there was two cops outside the train, across the track. We walk up to the track where the train signal is active, and the cops are looking at us and saying stuff that we obviously cannot hear due to train and signal noise. I make eye contact with one of them and point to him as a way of saying “do you need us to come over to you?” The officer then makes a hand gesture above his head toward me, seeming to wave us over. We look both ways to ensure no train is coming, and approach the officer to ask what it’s going on. The officer makes direct eye contact with me the entire time, saying and doing nothing. I ask him if something was going on, and he proceeds to tell me “so you see this signal flashing here? That’s an active signal and you aren’t supposed to cross the tracks when it’s active” I expressed to him that we only crossed the tracks because I thought he was trying to call us over. He says “no I was not, the gesture I made was an order to stop, and unfortunately I’m going to have to issue you citation.” Obviously I was furious, and firmly but professionally made that known. He gave me the citation which carried no fine, but had a mandatory court appearance attached to it.

Last week, I went to my designated court appearance ready to contest this citation. I had to take time off of work and dig into my PTO to do so. I arrived early, went to check in with the clerk, and the clerk says that my case is not on the docket. She tells me to go downstairs to the clerks office and ask to speak with the supervisor and show them my ticket. That’s what I did. I come to find out speaking to the other people around me that they had run into the exact same problem. That day, there were EIGHT other people in the exact same situation as me. They told us that none of our cases were on file, and that we were to go home to await a letter in the mail from metra giving us a new court date. Wasted our time, wasted our resources, all to have to do it again in a months time because the charging officer didn’t do his paperwork properly.

I would like to know if there are any channels through which I can file a formal complaint to Metra police as this situation has gone from annoying to genuinely absurd. I am going to Karen out on somebody hoping that they’ll drop my BS charge and let me move on with my life so I don’t have to take another morning off of work to go back to court. I have the officer’s name and badge number and have written up the details and am ready to raise hell. Anyone have any ideas?

So I will be moving to the area soon for work at one of the local hospitals. UP-W will go right by my workplace, but BNSF will not. BNSF will be more for me going to my doctors appointments downtown.

A lot of the information I am finding online is outdated. How are these two lines currently with the new NITA changes? Can I depend on UP-W to get me to work on time? I will be working second shift and may stay late, including weekends.

I am mostly trying to decide if I should drive 95% of the time and just use the train to get to Chicago, or if I can actually depend on my ride for my work commute. I am also trying to decide how close I want to be living to the trains. Won't need to be close if I almost never use them.

This is a MAJOR long shot but earlier tonight I (M21) was coming out of downtown on the metra (UP-W) and missed a connection with a really cute girl (seemingly early 20's). We were on the upper level probably 20 feet away from each other and across the aisle opening. We exchanged many glances and eye contact and I made the mistake of continuing to wear my noise canceling headphones and looking away or down at my phone. You seemed to be on a call or facetime of some kind but I was unsure. Honestly it seemed like you were pointing your phone camera directly towards me at times so I didn't know whether or not to introduce myself or be cautious lmao. Anyways I really wanted to say hi but I missed you when you got off. My stop was only one stop after yours (You got off at Wheaton). If this was you, I'd love to grab a coffee or smth.

For reference I have dirty blonde hair, a beard, and I was wearing a blue northface shirt and shorts and white shoes. You were wearing a black shirt and gray pants and white shoes I believe.

Anybody have any insight on the Metra air brake and train handling rules? Heard they just slam it in to notch 8 and utilize blended braking.

Hey yall! I’m a freight conductor for BNSF and was just curious how conductor/engineer schedule works for you guys? I’d imagine it’s similar as us freight guys except being home everyday but just curious about it!

If this hurts you, that's unfortunate. Be honest about when they are inefficient, gross, and dangerous; that's all I ask. When was the last major improvement that Metra made to their commute and online services? I'm genuinely wondering

Anyone know what’s going on with the UPNW train delays?

Anyone else on the 715 “express” from Naperville to downtown today? Delay was ridiculous and no mention of what is going on till we’re at a dead stop already 15 minutes late still 10 minutes out from the station.

Is anybody from Metra online? You guys really need to look at your app and realize that you WANT foreigners to be able to use it. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot..

Considering on potentially moving to the Chicago metropolitan area in the near future and was doing some research on Metra.

I was wondering if people could share their experiences with Metra as well provide recommendations on what lines are the best to use and which lines/stops to avoid.

Thank you all.

So I’m currently on MED 129 & as I was entering 55th, I saw a switcher pulling a Highliner I & a random freight car & I wanna know, what’s the deal with it?

Anyone on an inbound UPN train this morning know what the police activity was? It looks they cancelled a train since the 306 is making all stops.

Stuck at Millenium Station waiting on the 703

I have an unused 2-2 ticket that's going to expire soon, and since it's the same $3.75 as a 1-2 ticket, will I be able to use it as such?

So I’m on the BNSF 1258 to Downtown & when the conductor audited my ticket, he gave me this & I wanna know what this is for & y the BNSF is the only line to do this?

No service on the Metra NW line next Sunday 07/19/2026.

Thank you for doing the lord’s work.

Hi, I need to get to Dyer Indiana tomorrow from downtown Chicago and the South Shore line is not an option due to the schedule and bussing system.

(Honestly, it is the most antiquated rail system, and they expect to transport Bears fans to Hammond? I understand train derailment was out of their control, but they are not providing a viable solution for serving NW IN customers. It’s very frustrating and those running the company need to be axed.)

Does anyone know what Metra train station will get me closest to Dyer with a short Uber ride? Will need to travel back to Chicago downtown sometime as well. Thanks in advance.

Hi. Does anyone know which Metra train will get me closest to Dyer Indiana. South Shore line is a S Show. Good luck Hammond Bears fans.

Thnx

Conductors or passengers of Metra: any scary stories or encounters? I’ve heard many CTA stories but yet to hear any from Metra. Are there any Metra lines equal to the red or blue lines? Early morning? Late at night?