by Gilbert B Norman
NBC 5 Chicago just reported that METRA's ridership is 40% of Pre-COVID levels.
Railroad Forums
Moderators: metraRI, JamesT4
DominikW118 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 04, 2023 5:17 pm Eliminating train lines is stupid. Ridership will increase, and Metra needs to adapt.Mr. Dominick W, I've never said METRA should arbitrarily eliminate mid day service along the lines that presently offer it - and perhaps expand it to the lines like the WAB and SOO, I've simply said that they should use every means at hand to bail out of the 200 bi-level car order.
The idea of "Oh it doesn't work let's just eliminate it" is mind-boggling. Where would the world be today if we gave up on anything that lost money?
Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Thu Jul 06, 2023 5:33 am Would have they still gone through with it, or would have they been looking at the existing DMU equipment from overseas sources?Yes, they would.
Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Thu Jul 06, 2023 5:33 amWould have they still gone through with it, or would have they been looking at the existing DMU equipment from overseas sources?Existing equipment used overseas repurposed in Chicago? Never. New equipment designed for the American market that complies with American standards? As long as it also meets the "Buy America" standards.
Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Thu Jul 06, 2023 7:10 pm It just seems like someone with purse strings - elected or otherwise - will start making noise about an eight car train, with seating for 1,000 passengers, leaving CUS or C&NW, with 150 aboard. That is why I think METRA should be considering DMU equipment for mid day service. I've ridden such overseas; yes, they are a bus on raIls, but if 150 "butts on the cushions" is all you can expect in our post-pandemic environment, best plan your equipment procurement around that "new normal".I want to add my thought to this.