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Metra Considers Renaming Lines Across the Chicago-Area System. Your Feedback is Welcome

Metra has launched a survey to gather feedback on potentially renaming lines to make the system “easier to understand for new and occasional riders,” the rail service announced Monday.

The efforts comes as Metra takes over operation of the Union Pacific North, Northwest and West lines. The lines, owned by Union Pacific Railroad, have historically been operated by Union Pacific employees. Metra is now set to directly run the passenger lines this spring.

“Renaming the three UP lines presents Metra with an opportunity to reconsider all its line names, which follow no logical or consistent pattern,” according to a Metra news release.

Many lines are named after freight railroads that used to or still operate, while others are named for directions, how trains are powered or their location in a historic corridor, according to Metra. On current maps and signs, each line also uses a different color.

The line names can be confusing for new riders and those with limited English proficiency, according to Metra. For instance, two lines have “Milwaukee” in their names because they were once part of the Milwaukee Road, but the lines do not go to that city.

The survey to submit feedback can be found at metra.com/LineNames. Outreach events will also be held from 3:30 to 6 p.m. on the following days and locations:

• March 11: Chicago Union Station
• March 12: Ogilvie Transportation Center
• March 13: Millennium Station and LaSalle Street Station

Metra is asking riders to choose between three options:

• Retaining all the current names and colors except for the three UP lines
• Using a single color for lines that share a downtown station and labeling them with a letter to indicate the direction they go from downtown paired with a number. For instance, the three lines coming from Ogilvie Transportation Center would be the same color and would be labeled N1 for UP North, N4 for UP Northwest and W2 for UP West.
• Using a single color for all lines and labeling them with an “M” for Metra paired with a number. For instance, M1, M2, M3, etc.

“Metra believes developing clear and consistent line names may make the system easier to understand and encourage infrequent and first-time riders to ride more often,” according to a Metra news release.

The rail service cites that seven out of 10 customers ride once a month or less, while four out of 10 customers ride only once a year.

Metra said it is in the early stages of a larger system-wide signage and wayfinding project, which aims to install redesigned signs that have a common appearance and use common language. The project will be in the design stage into the next year. Metra said it aims to complete the rollout of new signs by early 2029.

View illustrations of the options below. 

 

Contact Eunice Alpasan: @eunicealpasan | 773-509-5362 | [email protected]

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