Leaderboard

Basically the breakdown in fleet numbers of the 7900s and 8350s based on the physical differences you mentioned is: 7900-8324 8325-8349 (Part of the 7900s contract order of Novas but nicknamed 8325s because of the different destination signs, the slab windows you mentioned and lack of a rear window) 8350-8949 (Completely separate contract order from the 7900s hence why they are referred to as 8350s. Exterior body design based on that of the 8325s with the main exception being the lack of the roof canopy in front of the roof mounted A/C unit. Interior differences are blue seat inserts similar but not identical to those on units 8200-8249 and instead of the original red BusTracker bus stop info screens, video monitor screens are mounted near the front and rear doors of the bus that show not only next approaching stop, which flashes at the top of the screen, but also a rotation of info that flips between a BusTracker map showing bus progress along the route and the next four stops, connecting CTA, Pace and Metra services to those stops, and number of minutes until reaching those stops. To the right of each of those displays flashes internal CTA info such as random Rules of Conduct with accompanying picture and any detour info that may be in effect for the route the bus is presently assigned)

NBC 5 news story relaying that further progress on RPM improvements and the start of the Red Line extension to 130th could be delayed because the Trump administration paused $2.1 billion in Chicago infrastructure funding, part of which was meant for CTA for RPM and RLE. It stems from both a stated Trump strategy of pausing infrastructure funding to Democrat led cities after the federal government went into the current shutdown and from his push to press a reduction or end to DEI policies in lower levels of government and the private sector following the end of said policies in much of federal government operations. Because it's relevant to both RPM and RLE, I couldn't decide at first whether to stick this here or in the RLE thread.

From a brief glance, it isn't obvious how these alignments are much different than the former 747 (Forest Park-Yorktown [Wheaton], later merged into 301) and 757 ([Harlem]-Forest Park-[Elk Grove]-Schaunburg). Those raise the following concerns: There would have to be extensive highway improvements to overcome massive congestion, something along the lines of I-90, with flex lanes and in-line stations. 747 was merged into 301 for this reason, and while the Hillside Strangler was fixed, that just moved the congestion to 25th Ave. and east. IDOT has some proposals to add a toll express lane to I-290, but that doesn't seem to be progressing. The Central Tri-State project is doing something for the 294-290-88 interchange, but while that may help reinstating 895, it doesn't seem to do much for this, except for possible improvements to 290 in the Elmhurst area. Ridership would have to be rebuilt after 757 was cut during Covid. The station placement is relevant for something like Loyola Medicine. If at the hospital, there's a deviation, while if in-line or on the congested frontage roads, there would have to be a transfer to something like 331. If you asked me (and they didn't) I would extend the Blue Line to Mannheim, but IDOT has been screwing around too long studying that.

I personally only saw 3 buses so far with new seats in them and those buses are 8015, 8060, and 8071.

Chicago Sun Times news story relaying that CTA, Metra and Pace report they pushed needing to do any potential service cuts back to at least the second half of 2026. There's further confirmation of @Busjack's mention of Evanston Now's reporting of Pace telling RTA it won't have to do any cuts in 2026. It mentions that Metra also says it can hold off until 2027 on any service cuts. CTA is saying summer 2026 for them. The story also says the RTA reports the other three service boards have been able to bring the combined fiscal cliff deficit for next year down to $202 million from the previous $770 million. It says they managed it through a combination of expected revenue from implementing an across the board 10% fare increase at all three services on February 1st, new revenues from a recent online sales tax, and administrative cuts to name a few moves made. They say that the deficit for 2027 will still be close to the same that was originally thought for next year and $888 million for 2028. There's mention at the end that state Rep Dina Delgado blasted RTA over the latest numbers. On the one hand I understand she may have some frustrations from the standpoint that opportunists may pounce on it to say the transit boards were crying wolf over the severity of the fiscal emergency. But overall it still feels like saber rattling since it appears that the service boards actually did what the politicians always squawk about and found some budgetary efficiencies. Unfortunately they won't be enough to soften the blow as much beyond next year given COVID money was still a part of the equation in some way for next year's moves and won't last beyond next year. That's at the heart of the current problem and always has been since the beginning of transit agencies nationwide first publicly reporting the issue.

Well seeing as the bus entered service for the PM rush around 3 PM, it appears that again there were no buses available at 77th so #8901 got the go ahead to enter on the 2. A lot of runs on the 2 pull out between 3 and 4 PM when 77th is low on buses so they'll take whatever is available from there own shops or anything released by SS that hasn't been picked up by other garages.

I mean I'd kinda do the same. 2 isn't a sleepy route but it's not the 4 either so if it can handle a somewhat busy route that runs on a highway I'd be a bit more confident to move it to an all day block. If any slight issues arise then the bus isn't gonna be out for long since it's a peak only route so you can troubleshoot any kinks.

#5411-5414 are at skokie shops for rehabs, so purple is using some extras off the red.

Apparently the rehab is to be done by a vendor:

Press release on metra.com on the 2026 budget. (The budget book itself isn't yet posted on the budget and financial statements page). The main highlight is that fares will go up about 13%. I haven't really kept up, but they still seem less than before the fare zones were consolidated. Only one-ride tickets pictured below:

A majority didn't get much of anything interior wise, everything FG got from 77th was given a fresh coat of paint last year along with some mechanical upgrades. 77th does have a few #7900s running around a mix of fabric/plastic seat inserts. FG mechanics hates the #7900s they received from 77th along with the remaining #8200s they have. 74th may have a few #8000s running around with new seat inserts but that doesn't necessarily mean they rehabbed the entire bus.

Well I was more pondering than seeking a prediction whether the legislature would actually stick to the continued claim of the stated desire for handling the funding question this month now that higher urgency for doing lost a bit of steam. However I do agree with you that doing so this month became less likely in my own mind for the reasons you stated especially the fact that anything getting done in the veto session requiring a supermajority. They'll probably still throw ideas at each other to be on record for trying. But why push as hard under the smaller urgency when they've been given more wiggle room to get it together in the next regular session where as you noted the supermajority disappears?

Got a good update: New Metro Express service will be launched on October 27th

3113-3114 & 2715-2716 is the consist. Looks like it's from the Blue Line.

wrong. theres still at least a set there

Long Term Hold

#8946 has entered service on route 3 out of 77th.

I took a visit to the boneyard and south shops today’s and here is a lot of I saw from street view that appears to have been added more recently. Boneyard: BE40’s 602, 603, 604, and 605 line down Perry in place of a few D40LF’s that moved around. 603-604 have new fareboxes inside of them. 1879 and 1734 are recent additions to the Perry side of the boneyard. I also spotted 1037 with LTH (moved deeper into yard) and 1170 inside the boneyard. I saw 1941 which has LTH around it running in the boneyard and 1900/1966 which have been shut off. I also spotted 1349 on a temporary legal hold and found 8237 wrapped around with a black tarp from the recent accident on Central near the FG garage. i also spotted 4138 which appears to have been just added to the boneyard. South shops i spotted 1862 and 1352 at 78th along with 4361 (sent to SS in the morning) and 4394 which was sent last week. Going towards 79th, I spotted 4087, 8241, 4373, 4203 (accident damage/minor rust), 4309, 8589, 1917 (retired), 1268, 1394, 1072, 1970, 1358, 1822, 1589, 2000/1735, and 1551 with a farebox and new shield. down 79th I spotted 4382, 8581, 8050, a rusty DE60LF, 1718, 1215 (brakes), 4204, 1419, 4159 (escaped boneyard), 4302, 4142, 4145, 4100, 4060, 4207, 4057, 4341/4318, 4089, 1470, 1061, 4027, 4072, and 1715 (engine panel open) behind Forman I saw 1025 which is done,, and j also spotted 1895 and ex-6163.

I have now confirmed both buses are retired.1941 is pictured with an LTH sticker and appears to be running (I didn’t hear the engine) but the bus is on. Despite 1917 having a new shield, 1917 has now been officially retired due to body damage. this is the body damage presented on 1917 which prompted its retirement. I was actually able to catch 1917 on the 53 the night before its official retirement and was able to catch it pulling in to Chicago Garage for its last time ever on 9/14. It was sent to SS the next day via the 66. Besides those two I have see the following flyers around SS/boneyard from street view: Boneyard: 1879 (retired), 1734 (retired), 1170, 1966/1900 (retired), 1349 (legal hold off the 1 from 9/15). South Shops: 1862 (brake job appears to be complete), 1352, 1268, 1358, 1394, 1072, 1970 (retired), 2000 and 1735, 1822, 1589, 1551 (new farebox inside it), 1272 had its shield removed, 1718 (79th fence), 1215 (brakes work), 1419 (no bike rack), 1715, 1470, and last but not least 1061. I also spotted 1025 which has a new farebox and is on LTH and 1895 with another bus right behind 1866 and 1674.

8913 has entered service at 103rd currently on the 71

In 2019, Metra published its "Systemwide Cost Benefit Analysis of Major Capital Improvements" report. https://assets.metra.com/s3fs-public/2024-11/Systemwide_Cost_Benefit_Analysis_2019.pdf The document evaluated proposed projects, which included improvements to existing lines as well as new extensions in the Chicagoland area. It specifically conducted a cost-benefit analysis of these projects, using metrics such as ridership, costs, and reliability. The report featured a map displaying all the projects under evaluation. A link to that map is provided below. https://imgur.com/a/evaluation-map-of-metra-improvement-expansion-projects-2019-jjWZ6ZP Using Metra's spatial data, I recreated the map as an interactive web version that visualizes the project locations from the 2019 report. https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1DRcHSvcu0pUEG2774phe5MF3YxRPdBs

It feels like they’re scattering buses to any garage at this point. They still got a few 8325s and a small block of 8600s from last years DNC picks

#8948 has entered service on route 1 out of 77th.

I know this whole mess started because Metra wanted to rename the Union Pacific Lines. That would be simple. But someone decided to complicate matters and came up with the crazy idea that ALL of the Metra Lines needed to be renamed. Just renaming the Union Pacific Lines to Oglivie is such a simple fix Using numbers may cause some confusion as most numbers are also CTA routes that serve downtown with the 1 and 7 serving Union Station. The Train station and the general direction of the line should suffice with the VBSF retaining its name until they decide differently. In that case it could be Union Central or Union West Central. Again, the best solution is to only change the name of the Union Pacific Lines and leave everything else alone

I get your point of organizing names by station especially since all of UP went to Ogilvie but I'd name based off destination since at Union SWS and HC both can be looked at as "Southwest", BNSF and MD-W both go west and I'm not sure if someone that's not a rail fan would be able to tell which one is BNSF. I'd do: SWS- Union-Orland Park RI - Lasalle- Blue Island/Joliet; LaSalle-Beverly HC - Union- Summit/Joliet UP-N - Ogilvie-Lake County UP-W - Ogilvie-Elburn UP-NW - Ogilvie-Harvard NCS - Union-Antioch MD-W - Union-Elgin MD-N - Union-Fox Lake ME - Millennium- University Park; Millennium-Blue Island; Millennium-South Chicago BNSF - Union- Aurora. This is the most "straight to the point" way I can think of as far as telling people where to board the train to whatever suburb they're going to.

That seems pretty simple: they didn't want the IC smoking up Grant Park.IDK if it was still hauling freight to the south bank of the Chicago River. The IC also seems more subject to regulation because it was on landfill on navigable waters (same thing Friends of the Park used vto block stuff like the Lucas Museum), and Aaron Montgomery Ward's easement for public benefit east of Michigan Ave. The other railroads are primarily freight and unless there was something similar to the whole east coast east of Harrisburg, PA being forced to electrify, it wouldn't happen here.

Yes. I can agree that the current system is generally confusing to the newcomer, but I don't see how this helps. In this particular scheme, the letter is almost meaningless and amounts to clutter. Just numbering them without the letter would be more distinguishable, but I hated their single color idea. I think this bows too much to "new riders," which at this point are more of an aspiration. Is the intention to lose local legibility and history in favor of this supposed rider? I'm not sure if names of lines are a ridership factor. Color, maybe, especially with the prevalence of phone apps that make CTA and Metra lines appear the same. I think there is a renaming and coloring solution that would make a lot of people happy, but letters and numbers isn't it. As a first attempt at a compromise between that type of scheme and what's being proposed... UP-N == Ogilvie North Line (OG-N) UP-NW == Ogilvie Northwest Line (OG-NW) UP-W == Ogilvie West Line (OG-W) MD-N == Union North Line (U-N) NCS == Union Northwest Line (U-NW) MD-W == Union West Line (U-W) BNSF == Union BNSF Line (Union BNSF) HC == Union Canal Line (U-C) SWS == Union Southwest Line (U-SW); LaSalle Southwest Line after move to LaSalle (L-SW) RI == LaSalle South Line (L-S), with Beverly branch (LS-B) ME == Illinois Line (I), with Illinois-Blue Island (I-BI) and Illinois-South Chicago (I-SC) branches. though, under this scheme, Union Station and Union Pacific are potentially confusing entities. I don't think this is a reason to ditch names and distinct colors altogether, though. I think more distinct and localized or historically/geographically meaningful names than these would do even better, personally, but it appears Metra has no respect for public history and memory going forward. I'm a bit troubled that this is being done in-house...for one, I would expect better and more locally-informed options, but at the same time, perhaps a consultant would be able to approach it with knowledge of general wayfinding principles, authentic community engagement, and so on. If fares became better integrated with CTA, I don't see a problem with making Metra's lines color coded (forest, golden, lime, periwinkle, maroon, silver, lake, navy, etc). I can already here proponents of the new scheme saying that "OG-N" and "U-N" are confusing! ... but their proposed Letter Number scheme is even less helpful. Do an N1 and N4 train terminate at the same station? The naming can't help you. Currently, it can--admittedly, only IF you know that UP trains go to Ogilvie and all others but RI/ME go to Union...but that's more than N1 and N4 will tell you. Just a mess.

Spotted in this video, 4:29 Looks like they've made a decision...one that makes a messy situation messier, IMO.

Buut whatever the platitudes, the bottom line is that there isn't going to be any service unless Niles and Pace come to some kind of agreement, and they do not seem to appear in a hurry to do so. It mayy be similar to Downers Grove, which first operated it it self, then had a contract with Pace, then decided it didn't want to have its employees run it, and handed it over to Pace, which contracted it with First Student. Unless Pace is motivated enough to contract with Niles or a private vendor, and its alert that ther are plenty of fixed routes in the area, I think this may be the end of the road.

While at the MMF at O'Hare today, I saw a couple of Van Galder Coach USA buses. The decals listed Wisconsin Transit Lines LLC Janesville, WI as operator. From what I could find, the Renco Group purchased Coach USA after Coach USA filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. The acquisition includes Negabus and Coach Canada. The transaction occurred about a year ago. I didn't see any Milwaukee bound buses, but one bus going to Beloit, Janesville, and Madison, with the other bus only serving Rockford. I would have liked to have seen the decals on a Milwaukee area bus. To my knowledge, it's still Wisconsin Coach Lines. BTW, Van Galder still appears on the sides and the front bumper of the buses.

I’ve saw 3073-74 in a consist bound for O’Hare with the rest all 3200s, we’re down to around 16 cars left now. It’s odd to see 3200s begin to get transferred back to their home lines before the last of the 2600s get removed. Seems like CTA is having a hard time removing the remainder of them, but yet last year yall were quick to store them OOS.

Got some news https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article312149942.html Transit fares stay flat as Miami-Dade leaders scrap austerity and pass budget Also the New Metro Express Routes for the new South Dade BRT opening date has been pushed back to next year due to ongoing construction of the 4th new bus division in Homestead for new 100 60ft EV artic bus

Looking at CTA's trend of putting the oldest series on the Orange Line before retirement Im pretty sure whatever 3200s get displaced by 7000s are gonna go back to Kimball first so it'll be like before where Kimball was all 3200s and Orange was had a mixed fleet of leftover 3200s/2600s. Then after they're done with Blue they'll probably send the 7000s to Brown first while scraping the remaining 2600s as Kimball moves it's 3200s to Orange.

I'm not, send them to 74th.

Finally after many years, someone in Scheduling answered my prayers. Thank you! 🙏🏾 🙌🏾 https://metra.com/newsroom/metra-expands-up-north-weekend-service

Evanston Now says Pace told the RTA that it has enough unspent Covid funds that it won't have to cut bus service in 2026. Apparently not so with CTA.

Update: As of yesterday, all of 2006 Orion VII HEV #1000-1149 series were retired yesterday. 1064 and 1102 were the last units in service. Rip 2006-2025 Also RIP to the TTC Orion VII first generation era, January 24, 2003 - September 11, 2025.

You almost answered the question: I'd like to call your attention to the headlights: Gilligs never had them (Low Floors, Phantoms, etc) since they would encapsulate both the front and part of the sides near the door. Orion has, as you mentioned, had the "vertical" from the five, six, and early seven models (until the New Generations came on by). The defense rests. 😅

WHYY story to that effect. Apparently there was a reserve fund and a Title VI issue. Since the claim was that cuts to bus compared to regional rail were discriminatory.maybe that's why RTA transferred money ftom Metra and Pace to CTA. Later WPVI story that the governor authorized shifting capital funds to allow complying with the court order, and Pittsburg requested the same, but it is only a stop gap.

Yup, this video of the then-new Oakton-Skokie yellow line confirms it: (train at 2:22)

Considering any equipment transfer that isn't from Rosemont to 54th is more of a pain in the @$$ that might be the monkey wrench. There wouldn't be an announcement just for 2600s leaving the line, just for a farewell trip.

Saw a 2600s pair in a consist with 6 3200s yesterday on a Forest Park bound blue line train. It looks like the blue line is having a hard time giving them a farewell. Would there be a major announcement once every 2600 is off the blue line? Could cta be waiting until the next rail car pick considering they have at least 200 3200s and 200 7000s in service?

spotted 2879 & 2880 today, sitting in Midway yard with Howard (Yellow) roll signs. Been quite a while since 2600s have run there, thought it was neat.

The 59th/60th St ME station went to the Chicago Plan Commission on 8/21. The presentation has a lot of detailed drawings and renderings. It also says construction will last from 2026 to 2030. https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/zlup/Planning_and_Policy/Agendas/cpc_materials/08_2025/2025.08.21_Metra_59th_&_60th_St_LPO_CPC_Presentation.pdf The Grayland station on the MD-N line reopened on 8/14. https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/15/grayland-metra-station-back-open-after-years-of-construction/

Some new documents posted to the project webpage. Public Meeting Recording (6/5/2025) https://www.pacebus.com/sites/default/files/2025-06/I-290 Public Meeting Recording (1920x1080).mp4 Travel Market Analysis Report (7/11/2025) https://www.pacebus.com/sites/default/files/2025-07/I-290 I-88 Travel Market Analysis_update 07.11.25.pdf

I'm happy Metra finally added more weekend service on UP -North Line, especially earlier Sunday service from Chicago to Waukegan and Kenosha.

BNSF Service Expansion Weekdays and Weekends Effective September 8th, 2025 https://www.metra.com/newsroom/bnsf-line-to-expand-schedule-sept-8 UP - North Line Weekend Service Expansion Effective September 20th*, 2025 (*Date may be incorrect It may be Sept 15th or Sept 21st*). https://www.metra.com/newsroom/metra-expands-up-north-weekend-service UP -West Line Schedule Changes Effective September 8th, 2025 https://www.metra.com/newsroom/up-west-schedule-changes-coming-sept-8

To be fair, this is the General Transit Discussion, so items like these are allowed. Folks can and should exercise the need to respond (or not).

Everyone who has commented so far is completely correct. The destination sign rollers are based on the line the cars are assigned to and not the series of the cars. One other thing to remember is that each destination sign is limited to 15 spaces due to the mechanics of the system. The current roller configurations that I know about are: 1: O'Hare (Blue), Forest Park (Blue), 54/Cermak (reversed Blue), Rosemont (Blue), UIC (reversed Blue), Howard (Red), 95th (Red), 54/Cermak (Pink), Loop (Pink), Jefferson Park (Blue), Harlem (Green), Ashland/63 (Green), Cottage Grove (Reversed Green), Not in service (Black), Express (Black) 2: O'Hare (Blue), Forest Park (Blue), 54/Cermak (reversed Blue), Rosemont (Blue), UIC (reversed Blue), Howard (Red), 95th (Red), 54/Cermak (Pink), Loop (Pink), 58th (reversed Green), Harlem (Green), Ashland/63 (Green), Cottage Grove (Reversed Green), Not in service (Black), Express (Black) 3. Kimball (Brown), Loop (Brown), Belmont (Brown), Midway (Orange), Loop (Orange), Howard (Red), 95th (Red), Howard (Yellow), Skokie (Yellow), Roosevelt (Red), Linden (Purple), Loop (Purple), Howard (Purple), Not in service (Black), Express (Black) 4. Kimball (Brown), Loop (Brown), Belmont (Brown), Midway (Orange), Loop (Orange), Howard (Red), 95th (Red), Midway (Black), Downtown (Black), O'Hare (Black), Harlem (Green), Ashland/63 (Green), Cottage Grove (reversed Green), Not in service (Black), Express (Black) On a related note, does anyone know of any other destination sign configurations the CTA is currently using?