Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Why doesn’t Metra have wireless internet on its trains yet? Mostly because it would be enormously expensive and a technological challenge, too. But should they?
Should Metra get Wi-Fi? Even if it’s expensive and hard to implement and maintain? The commuter-rail network is considering the possibility, the Chicago Tribune and other news agencies report, but price and technology continue to be two major barriers, despite that a DePaul University report shows 48 percent of Metra riders use personal electronic devices during their commutes. According to the paper, it could cost over $70 million to install wireless internet on all 11 Metra lines over five years—though some of that could perhaps be recouped by paid plans or sponsorships—and there’s a fear that the technology might quickly become obsolete or go unused by customers who prefer other connectivity, like smart-phone hotspots or air-cards. "(…
Monday, May 13, 2013
Libertyville ranks 22nd according to Crain's tracking of household income in the zip codes of Metra train stations.
A look at income levels in suburban towns with Metra stops provides a glimpse at the disparity in wealth throughout the area, according to a map by Crain's Chicago Business Journal. Among all Chicago and suburban Metra stops, Libertyville ranked as the 22nd highest income with an average income of $109,416, according to Crain's. Libertyville residents are in the top 10 percent for highest incomes, according to Crain's. Neighboring Grayslake ranked as the 61st highest income with an average income of $86,825, while Vernon Hills ranked 50th with an average income of $90,325. The Metra station that ranked as number one was Kennilworth where the average income came in at $242,188, according to Crain's. Read more and find out how other area …
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Matthew Padour was sentenced to six months periodic imprisonment Monday following his February conviction for striking a Metra train conductor after a Cubs game in April 2012.
A Libertyville man convicted of aggravated battery for punching a Metra train conductor after a Chicago Cubs game on April 5, 2012, was sentenced Monday to six months of periodic imprisonment, two years of probation and 150 hours of public service , reported the Chicago Tribune. Matthew Padour, 31, was also ordered to pay more than $2,500 in restitution to Metra along with a $500 fine, and attend anger management and substance abuse treatment programs, according to the Lake County News-Sun. He is also banned from Metra. Padour's sentencing hearing marked the first time news cameras were allowed in a Lake County courtroom. Padour previously had a bench trial on Feb. 27 after rejecting a plea deal. Lake County Judge Raymond Collins said …
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Matthew Padour, 30, of Libertyville, was convicted of four counts of aggravated battery on Feb. 27.
A Libertyville man faces two to five years in prison after being convicted of four counts of aggravated battery for punching a Metra train conductor after a Chicago Cubs season opener on April 5, 2012, reported the Lake County News-Sun. Matthew Padour, 30, had a bench trial on Feb. 27 after rejecting a plea deal. Lake County Judge Raymond Collins said Padour was intoxicated when he hit the unidentified 60-year-old conductor at the Libertyville Metra station, according to the News-Sun. Prior arrests A Libertyville Police blotter posted on Patch shows Padour was arrested in June 2011 for battery after police saw him strike a nearby person in the jaw near Lake Street and Milwaukee Avenue. In March 2011, Padour was arrested for obstructing a …
Monday, February 4, 2013
The price of the 10-ride ticket is no longer discounted.
Metra riders are no longer getting a discount for purchasing a 10-ride fare. The Metra Board of Directors voted last month to change the cost of the once discounted 10-ride pass to be equivalent to the price of 10 one-way fares. The change was made to help fund capital improvement projects, the Pioneer Press reports. The policy went into effect Feb 1. Libertyville commuters will now pay $67.50 for a 10-ride pass, or $6.75 for a one-way ticket. Monthly passes are $192.25 and weekend tickets are $7. Ten-ride tickets purchased between Nov. 17 and Jan. 31 are valid through Feb. 28. What do you think about the Metra fare increase? Will you take Metra less?
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
RE/MAX reveals the results of its fourth annual Metra Community Study.
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Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Communities served by Metra commuter trains have seen home sales bounce back faster than the Chicago suburban area as a whole, according to the fourth annual Metra Community Study by the RE/MAX Northern Illinois real estate network. The study compared home sales data from three towns along each of the 11 Metra corridors throughout the Chicago suburbs with comparable data from all suburbs in the seven-county metropolitan Chicago real estate market during the first half of the following three years: 2012, 2011 and 2006. The analysis revealed that the Metra-served communities had a greater rebound in sales activity than the suburbs as a whole in 2012 and have seen sales decline less than the suburbs as a whole when compared to 2006. The …
Saturday, June 23, 2012
The Lake County Coroner's Office says it's still unclear if the incident was a suicide.
The person hit and killed by a Metra train on June 17 has been identified. The Lake County Coroner's Office has identified the deceased as 44-year-old Daoad Ghaussy of Barrington. Ghaussy was struck by a Metra train at 11:15 a.m. on June 17 at the intersection of Cuba Road and Route 14. The Lake County Coroner's Office says Ghaussy's cause of death was multiple traumatic injuries. The incident is still under investigation, and authorities say they don't know if the death was suicide or accidental at this time. The Lake County Sheriff's Department is handling the investigation. They have not released any information to Barrington Patch.
Monday, June 18, 2012
The incident happened Sunday, June 17 around 11:15 a.m.
UPDATE 8:55 a.m.: The Lake County Coroner reports that the deceased has not yet been identified. The cause of death has been confirmed as multiple traumatic injuries. The coroner's office says it's too early to say if the incident was a suicide or accidental. ... A pedestrian was killed after being hit by a Metra train on Father's Day. It happened around 11:15 a.m. at Cuba Road and Route 14 along the Union Pacific Northwest line, between the Fox River Grove and Barrington Metra Stations. Metra officials say the incident also damaged the train upon impact, causing an extremely long delay for passengers. "The train was stopped for quite a long time partially because the train itself was damaged in the incident. The passengers were taken…
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Metra Board approves fare Increases, changes in fare policies.
The Metra Board of Directors approved its 2012 budget, which includes increased fare prices that will go into effect on Feb. 1. Metra fare increases are across all ticket types and fare policies will see a change. Riders who travel from Libertyville or Prairie Crossing Station in Zone H, a one-way ticket would go up from $6 to $6.75; a 10-ride ticket would increase from $48.05 to $60.75; and a monthly pass would go from $152.55 to $192.25. According to the 2012 fare table, one-way tickets will increase an average of 15.7 percent across all fare zones, while 10-ride tickets will go up an average of 30 percent and monthly passes will increase an average of 29.4 percent. Reduced fare one-way tickets will increase an average of 10.3 percent, …
Monday, October 31, 2011
Metra is holding eight hearings in the Chicago metropolitan area before taking a final vote on its budget, Nov. 11.
Area residents will have an opportunity to express their feelings about Metra rate increases at a public hearing on Metra’s proposed 2012 budget, from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 3, at the Grayslake Village Hall. “The purpose is to hear from the public and our riders about what they think of the proposed budget and to take comments. The board will consider all of the comments before they vote on the final budget,” said Michael Gillis, a spokesman for Metra. Metra board of directors will hold eight public meetings prior to voting on the budget, Nov. 11. Users favored rate increase In a Metra survey this summer, users favored a rate increase over schedule cutbacks. “Many people preferred us to retain the service the way it is and address the…
Walter White
9:44 pm on Thursday, May 16, 2013
Metra ought to stay out of the phone business, and focus on the train business. more ›