How to Ride the Chicago Metra train ( see description below for the link to the new updated version)

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2 жыл бұрын

Feb 2024 update:
There has been some changes since February 2024. The important changes are to the structure of the zones, elimination of ticket windows, and changes in the types of fares.
We now have a new 2024 updated version “ HOW TO ride the Metra Train”. Here is the link below;ow:
• How to Ride the Chicag...

Пікірлер: 35

@earthandwind820 2 ай бұрын

Me, a lifelong Chicagoan, watching this. Have learned trains all over, but never my own backyard 👀 Thank you!

@TravGuideChannel 2 ай бұрын

Welcome to the channel and Glad you found the video helpful. The metra train system can be a lot of fun to ride and provide an economical adventures to explore different parts of the Chicagoland area. Worth learning!

@DomCollado78 Жыл бұрын

I am from crystal lake, the UP northwest line goes through my town. There used to be a southern line down to Elgin and it ran north up to lake Geneva. Way before my time. Wish they brought back that line but there’s no way now due to new roads etc. always had fun taking the metra into the city. The bears are making their new stadium in Arlington heights so I’ll be able to hop on a 25 minute train ride when that’s completed. Cool video

@SteveH-TN Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing your video and thoughts

@TravGuideChannel Жыл бұрын

You’re welcome

@chrisnez2955 Жыл бұрын

Thank you. Very informative.

@TravGuideChannel Жыл бұрын

You are welcome! And thanks for stopping in.

@josfin45 Ай бұрын

This needs to be updated. It’s a whole new system now it is not a J it’s one through five.

@TravGuideChannel Ай бұрын

Hello and you are correct, thank you for the updated information, I will add that for now to the description so people understand that since February 2024 it’s been changed. Instead of the 10 alphabetical zones ( A through J), it’s now reduced to 4 zones numbered 1 through 4. Metra also made some changes in the rates and the type of passes that you can buy. And they also now state all ticket windows have been closed ( you now need to purchase tickets via ventra app, vending machine, or pay to conductor after board train).

@TravGuideChannel Ай бұрын

For the latest 2024 changes in the Metra rail system, you can go to this webpage on the Metra website. metra.com/2024FarePlan#:~:text=Under%20the%20new%20structure%2C%20the,on%20each%20line%2C%20which%20vary.

@MrBigangry 3 ай бұрын

Most of the conductors are great. Dont be affraid to report the bad ones. Metra handles it fast.

@TravGuideChannel 3 ай бұрын

In my experience, the conductors have always been helpful and polite. Very professional in their behavior. Thanks for your input.

@Anonymouslikemydad Жыл бұрын

Thanks

@TravGuideChannel Жыл бұрын

You’re welcome.

@gamerdudeli 3 ай бұрын

I was visiting Chicago and I had to take the metra electric but there was one problem, there wasn’t a ticket machine at the station (I think the station was 63rd street or somewhere close to that) so I was like well I can just buy a ticket on the train but when the conductor came up to me they said they only accept cash and I don’t have enough cash and the conductor wasn’t happy with me and by the time I had finished talking with the conductor it was my stop so I just got off without paying, in my defense I didn’t have cash and there wasn’t a ticket machine at 63rd street station

@TravGuideChannel 3 ай бұрын

Tough experience, but this might encourage some people to go ahead and download the Ventra app, so they can just purchase their tickets on the app and use the credit card doing it.

@gamerdudeli 3 ай бұрын

@@TravGuideChannel i have the ventra app now because of that experience 🤣

@TravGuideChannel 3 ай бұрын

A wise decision 🙂

@plants4everyone Жыл бұрын

when I take the train on oak park, the trains sometimes come in different lanes/platforms, how would I figure out which lanesplatforms they're gonna come from?

@TravGuideChannel Жыл бұрын

My guess is they do this for reasons such as repairs or to accommodate freight trains ( metra doesn’t own many of the tracks). The decision on which track being used may then change depending on circumstances. The station attendant may be able to give you more info on your question.

@mwizathindwa Жыл бұрын

I’m new in Illinois and I just want to clear up something please. I live in palatine but will be taking the metra to Jefferson park for work so if I get a $6 day pass that allows me to Start in palatine - get off in Jefferson park Then when getting off work start Jefferson park - get off in palatine Right ? That’s only traveling through 2 zones right?

@TravGuideChannel Жыл бұрын

That sounds right, but I would advise you to call metra to make sure. I hate to be giving this advise because I may be in error and don’t want to be having you rely on it. , so best to check with metra customer service. metra.com/contact-us

@rokae Жыл бұрын

In the ventra app you can select both locations and it will give you ticketing options including the day pass and the price for day pass for that route.

@TravGuideChannel Жыл бұрын

Also, it is more than 2 zones. Palatine is in zone B and Jefferson park in zone F. The one way pass looks to run at $6.75. The other poster is correct you can use the ventra app to find all this along with all the ticket options. If you plan long term to travel on metra, the ventra app is more practical. But if you don’t wish to use the ventra app, the conductor or a station can help you I’m sure on selling you the correct ticket for the B/F zone

@minosmin 7 ай бұрын

are there screens that tell you which track number your train is at?

@TravGuideChannel 7 ай бұрын

When boarding at the downtown chicago terminal they had posted the trains and track

@minosmin 7 ай бұрын

@@TravGuideChannel thank you! you are very helpful and informative 😊

@TravGuideChannel 7 ай бұрын

You’re very welcome

@waltbowlby1638 5 ай бұрын

Is the ventrà card good for the metrà ànd ctà trainß and busses?

@TravGuideChannel 5 ай бұрын

Metra requires a metra ticket or pass. These can be purchased at the train station or through the ventra app. If purchased through the ventra app the metra ticket /pass is loaded to the app and shown to conductor when on train ( not the ventra card). You can’t use the metra ticket/pass to ride cta trains/buses. If you are a monthly metra pass holder, you can purchase through metra a Regional Connect Pass (Ventra app only) for around $30 valid for unlimited rides on CTA and Pace during the same calendar month as your metra monthly pass.

@TravGuideChannel 5 ай бұрын

“Regional Connect Pass Valid on CTA and Pace at all times. Pass sold by Metra or on the Ventra App to use with Metra Monthly Ticket. This new pass replaces Metra Link-up and Pace PlusBus” www.transitchicago.com/fares/

@living4christ 11 ай бұрын

Does this train go into Indiana?

@TravGuideChannel 11 ай бұрын

Metra doesn’t reach Indiana. There is the South Shore line that runs between Gary and South Bend Indiana and downtown Chicago. It uses the Millennium station in downtown Chicago. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Shore_Line

@ericrodriguez28 Жыл бұрын

How do i tell them which stop im getting off at?

@TravGuideChannel Жыл бұрын

Each car of the train you will see a map of all the stops, plus the conductor announces each upcoming stop. In fact, they have a recorded message piped into each car, announcing each upcoming stop I believe.