I called Metra customer service early last week and was told I would be receiving a return call within 5 -7 business days.

 

My observations after being present for 50 afternoon weekday trains in February and March: 

 

     Track Arrival

 

        One out of four trains came in on the South Track

                   

  Timely announcements were being made telling passengers to board on Platform 2  (also announcements appeared on the monitor)

 

November/December 2024 Comparison to Last Fall

       

 More people were arriving early (10 min) compared to last year  perhaps suggesting they are aware of the situation

 

Fewer passengers were going under gates  - these passengers are those who came prior to 5 minutes expecting to board on the North tracks only to see the train coming on South track

 

     Track Anxiety

 

  As passengers arrive at the station, I share about the train loading situation. When I kiddingly mention “Geneva’s Newest Disease - Track Anxiety”, I am told it is very “real” .

 

    Signage

 

There are no new signs. 

 

     Shelters

 

The main station hours continue to be 5am to 1pm.   The two shelters on the South Track were open in November and December.  When I returned in February, the shelters were locked.

   

In early March I observed Anderson Lock Company installing what appeared to be time locks.  Subsequently, I have determined the shelters are open at 1:00pm when I arrive and lock automatically at 2:45.   I don’t know what time they open in the morning although I had been told by a UP employee they open at 5am.

 

    South Shelter Ownership:  After another call to Metra last week, I was told the Geneva Police controlled the shelter.  I didn’t argue.  I called the Geneva Police and ended up talking to the Parking officer.

    He told me the shelters were open all day (I knew this was false, but didn’t argue).  I then went to City Hall asking if there was a City Hall employee who was a liaison with Metra.  Several days later

            I was given the name of the #2 person in Public Works.  He informed me that Metra does own the two shelters. However, he confided that Metra has kept their ownership ‘quiet’. 

 

   

This is a DRAFT of a “Wish List” I am contemplating sending to Metra:

 

   1.   Open the Geneva Station from 5am to 8pm     

            Current hours:  5am to 1pm

Note: When encountering inclement weather, there is no shelter for passengers. Furthermore, passengers have no protection from the sun.  

 

    2.   Post Station hours both on front and back doors to station

    Current:  No hours are posted on the front and back (platform side) doors

 

    3.   Provide enclosed warming shelter  on Platform 1 (North track) within 20 feet of Station

  Current:  Warming shelter on Platform is not enclosed and is located 1/2 block from the station and is seldom used.

 

    4.   Provide Commuter Alert signage to state: Inbound to Chicago trains may come in on either track. Listen for announcement on track arrival provided 7 minutes before scheduled arrival.

    Current:  There is no signage indicating trains may come in on either platform. 

 

     5.   Provide signage facing private parking lot …passengers wait in these cars for train but, in cold and inclement weather have their car windows rolled up and may not hear any announcement or view the monitor

             Current: there is no signage

 

     6.   Signage on Platform 1 states “Platform 1”

    Current:  Signage on Platform 1 only indicates “to Chicago”; it does not state “Platform 1”

 

      7.  Loudspeaker announcements on monitor  to say the Platform number the train will be arriving to load passengers

  Current:  When announcement is made regarding train arrival, it only states “Platform 2” and not Platform 1.

     

      8.   Open the two warming shelters on Platform 2 (South track)  5:00am to 8:00pm weekdays and weekends.

 

      9.   Divide the Geneva Station into two separate rooms      Separate station and waiting room based on configurations at other Metra stations

  East Room:  waiting area with customer service office, restroom and benches (not accessible to West Room) 

  West Room: waiting area with benches   (not accessible to East Room)

   

 

     

   

       February/March

          Alerted passengers arrival track uncertainty thus helping to reduce passengers ’track anxiety’

             Confirmed to many passengers this is the line to Chicago

             Educated many first time and/or infrequent passengers as to the track situation

             Helped calm a young lady who was having a panic attack over which track the train was loading. I was able to calm her down and stayed with her until she got on the train.

          

          Alerted waiting passengers on Platform 1 (who were not listening to announcements) to move to Platform 2 before the crossing gates go down

          Alerted passengers waiting in their cars with their windows down and unable to hear the announcements to drive to the south parking lot for access to Platform 2

          Directed late arriving passengers entering parking lot to drive to South Parking lot.

          Alerted passengers when returning to Geneva to board the last 4 cars as these are the only cars that open in Geneva

 

          Alerted several people that Metra tickets are required to be used within 3 hours of boarding the train     

          Helped passengers using the ticket machines

          

I’ll be out of state until mid April.  When I return, I will resume observing weekday afternoon trains arriving between 1pm and 5pm.

 

Rusty

 

 

P.S.  I attended the Metra Board of Directors meeting last week. 

 

        I didn’t realize the Metra's Chairperson lives in Kane County and has a law office both in Geneva and Chicago!

 

I would like to know if he takes Metra into the city.