Metra Commuter Rail Board

The meeting addressed several agenda items under the Consent Agenda. These included the summary of Consent Agenda Capital Procurements for services related to construction management and electrocode wayside train control components. Also reviewed under the Consent Agenda were Operating Procurements, specifically a contract for speed indicators and event recorders. Additionally, an agreement concerning legal services associated with the Build America Bureau's TIFIA and RIFF Programs was approved. The committee also received and filed the Financial Report and the Real Estate Report, followed by the Chief Financial Officer's Report. No new or old business was deliberated.

The Board Meeting included a Safety Briefing and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a public comment segment. The Committee on Finance and Budget provided a report. Key agenda items addressed included approvals for Consent Agenda Capital Procurements, such as contracts for Construction Management Services and Electrocode Wayside Train Control Components. Consent Agenda Operating Procurements, specifically a Contract for Speed Indicators and Event Recorders, were also approved. An agenda item concerning legal services for TIFIA and RIFF Programs was postponed until February. Reports received and filed covered Marketing, Diversity & Business Enterprise, Police, Quarterly Rail Agreements, Passenger Suspension, Ridership Trends, and Safety & Regulatory Compliance. The Capital Delivery/PMO report and the CEO/Executive Director report were presented.

The document provides an update on ridership trends and key initiatives for January 2026, comparing data against January 2025 and highlighting 2025 annual ridership figures. Key discussions include the 5% increase in January 2026 ridership compared to 2025, with weekday ridership recovery at 61% of pre-COVID levels. The report details ridership by line, month, and service period, noting Metra provided 38.1 million trips in 2025. Initiatives reviewed include the launch of the U-PASS+ program with UIC, the Access Program for SNAP benefit recipients, installation of onboard bicycle racks (232 coaches equipped), and analysis of customer complaints regarding crowding and scheduling over the last six months. The document also presents top station ridership highlights.

This Transit Asset Management (TAM) Plan provides Metra with an organization-wide framework for managing its assets to deliver transit services across Northeastern Illinois. Key objectives include documenting the asset portfolio, identifying service levels, detailing asset management processes and lifecycle strategies, and assessing capital and operating budgets. The plan emphasizes continuous improvement in asset management activities, with a focus on enhancing the state of good repair and ensuring the safe and successful operation of Metra's passenger rail network.

The document outlines the schedule for the Board of Directors of the Commuter Rail Division for Fiscal Year 2026, with meetings scheduled from January through December 2026. Key agenda items for discussion include the Finance & Budget Committee Report, Capital Procurements (A1-A5), Operating Procurements (B1-B5) which involved approvals for body cameras, janitorial supplies, trainline cables, and program management software, and an Ordinance to Amend the 2026-2030 Capital Program. Further discussions cover the release with Canadian Pacific Kansas City, amendments to the Board Schedule and Board Secretary/Assistant Secretary appointments, and various operational reports including Marketing, Diversity & Business Enterprise, Police, Ridership Trends, and Safety & Regulatory Compliance. The agenda also includes a presentation on the State of Metra Operations.