Changing the South Shore Line operating agreement (Chicago: how much, neighborhoods)

[OyCrumbler]

The South Shore Line commuter train operates on the same tracks on the Metra Electric. As part of a non-compete clause, trains leaving from Millennium Station do not allow passengers to disembark within Chicago nor allow passengers to embark stations within Chicago on the way to Millennium Station. Without any new infrastructure, the frequency of trains at Chicago stations can be increased. With a rollout of the Ventra Card on commuter rail, it seems like tracking commuters in order to get an equitable split on fares would be pretty simple, so are there any plans on the docket for changing this operating agreement?

[compactspace]

That would be a fantastic thing to happen. Even better would be to convert Metra Electric to a CTA service at some point in the future. But I think that the neighborhoods between South Loop and Hyde Park would need a population boost to make that viable.

[beaniemac]

Originally Posted by compactspace

That would be a fantastic thing to happen. Even better would be to convert Metra Electric to a CTA service at some point in the future. But I think that the neighborhoods between South Loop and Hyde Park would need a population boost to make that viable.

a lot more people would probably use that train if it were CTA service and tourist would have easier access to hyde park as well, which would certainly cause an increase in riders.

[NOLA101]

There is already frequent service to these stations via Metra, and not particularly high ridership. In fact the service frequencies are higher than on other Metra lines, yet ridership is lower.

I don't doubt your idea could happen, but it would cost Illinois millions (something it doesn't exactly have right now), replicate existing service, and would probably not have much of an impact, given existing service isn't heavily utilized. It might have a slight negative impact on overall passenger numbrers, because Indiana passengers would have a longer commute, possibly putting more of them in cars.

[OyCrumbler]

Originally Posted by NOLA101

There is already frequent service to these stations via Metra, and not particularly high ridership. In fact the service frequencies are higher than on other Metra lines, yet ridership is lower.

I don't doubt your idea could happen, but it would cost Illinois millions (something it doesn't exactly have right now), replicate existing service, and would probably not have much of an impact, given existing service isn't heavily utilized. It might have a slight negative impact on overall passenger numbrers, because Indiana passengers would have a longer commute, possibly putting more of them in cars.

The point is that it shouldn't really cost extra millions. These trains aren't at full capacity for the most part and are actually making these stops within the city currently. The only thing is that passengers can't get on the train going towards the terminal if they are within the city of Chicago, but the train does still stop to let passengers off. It is something that already exists and it seems unlikely these trains would have to idle at the intervening stations for any substantial amount of time to carry out the additional task of also allowing people on.

Having something as simple as a change in operating agreement, even if it didn't mean any additional trains being run, would actually give notably higher frequencies of the train for passengers without any real changes to how the changes currently operate. The higher frequencies can be enticing enough for people to use the trains more often, not less often, and make some neighborhoods along the South Side lakefront more desirable.

[OyCrumbler]

No, really, isn't this by far the most cost-efficient way to add additional transit to parts of south side chicago with the most minimal amount of spending possible? These South Shore Line trains already stop at these stations--they just artificially do not allow embarking or disembarking depending on the directions these trains are going. Even if you did nothing about adding stops to stations along the lines for these trains, you would still be allowing for additional (express) services for the stations where they do stop. How much more attractive is this for the stations where stops are when you increase Sunday service by almost 50% for residents of those stations and slightly lesser percentages for the other days? How packed are South Shore Line trains even at peak hours? And if they were packed, do they really not have enough rolling stock available to run additional trains to reduce that (thereby making the line and the neighborhoods along it in Chicago even more attractive)? The line is already electrified and separated from freight traffic in Chicago. Nothing needs to be built. Things just need to be run slightly differently that they are at the moment.

[chirack]

South Shore is run by Indiana and Metra by the RTA. They have totally different fare structures. Basically South Shore line is allowed by Metra to use the line.

[OyCrumbler]

Originally Posted by chirack

South Shore is run by Indiana and Metra by the RTA. They have totally different fare structures. Basically South Shore line is allowed by Metra to use the line.

Yes, I understand that which is why the point of this thread is to ask if anyone has heard if any plans for the current operating agreement to be changed.

[chet everett]

The short answer is that since NWI is neglected by the rest of the state (largely because of the focus that Indianapolis has for lawmakers...) and Metra neglects the low ridership areas of the southern suburbs (becuase of much more revenue flowing in from busier areas...) there is extremely low priority on any such changes.

If you want to get involved both boards do hold public meetings: NICTD Board of Directors, Members of the Board of the Directors | Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District

&& https://metrarail.com/metra/en/home/...formation.html

I've attended Metra board meetings and I can say that they are generally conducted in a professional manor, attendance of regular citizens can often be counted on one hand. Frankly the apathy of most of the public means that often the board members actually seem to be amused when some newbie offers a suggestion for change. Not saying they will be motivated to do anything, but if you can lay out a plan that won't cost them any revenue go ahead and try to make your case...

[NOLA101]

Metra's core ridership consists of white collar workers who work downtown. Not surprisingly, Metra's South Side lines generally have lower ridership, because white collar workers headed to the Loop tend to not live in such neighborhoods, nor in adjacent South Side suburbs.

Given that this has nothing to do with train frequency (again, the South Shore electric actually has the best frequency of any Metra line) it isn't clear why there would be any need for Indiana trains to stop in Chicago, and it isn't clear why this would affect ridership.