Far More Metra Trains Crossing Western Springs

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL — Western Springs is seeing almost the same number of Metra trains that it did before the pandemic, according to the railway operator.

On July 12, the number of trains either stopping or going through the village doubled to 94, from 47. That compares to 97 before the pandemic.

But the recent increase in trains does not correspond with ridership. Last week, Metra saw just a quarter of pre-pandemic passenger levels, not including the spike in riders heading to Lollapalooza in Chicago.

Financially, federal relief money is helping Metra offset the difference in revenue because of the drop in ridership.