Bracing for the Big Freeze: Metra Adjusts Train Schedules

A deep freeze is coming, and Metra is getting ready. They're cutting back on train services for Friday. The National Weather Service warns of dangerously cold wind chills, possibly dropping below -30 degrees late Thursday night. This extreme cold could mean fewer people commuting and more problems with trains and tracks. Metra expects fewer passengers on Friday, maybe even lower than usual. Normally, Friday ridership is already down by 35% to 40% from the middle of the week. With this cold snap, they expect even fewer people to take the train. So, they're running fewer trains, kind of like they do on weekends.Trains will also move slower because of the cold. When temperatures drop below zero, trains have to go slower for safety. This means your trip might take a bit longer. Metra is also putting extra staff on duty to handle any issues caused by the cold, like ice in the switches. They advise passengers to keep an eye on updates. More changes to the schedule could happen because of the weather. You can check for announcements on Metra's website. It's all about staying safe and keeping things running as smoothly as possible in this extreme cold.