West Cook News

Metra will introduce an expanded schedule for its BNSF Line to Aurora starting Monday, September 8. The changes include the addition of weekday express trains and increased hourly service on weekends.

According to Metra, the new schedule is based on customer feedback and ridership data, with a focus on reducing capacity issues during peak hours. Two inbound express trains will be added to the weekday morning service, stopping at Lisle and Downers Grove before heading directly to Chicago. In the evening, two outbound trains will operate as express from Chicago to Congress Park before making all stops to Fairview Avenue, while another two outbound trains will run express from Chicago to Downers Grove and then make all stops to Aurora.

For reverse commuters, Train #1268’s schedule will change. It will depart Aurora at 3:40 p.m., making all stops between Aurora and Westmont before running express to LaGrange Road and Cicero. This train will no longer stop at Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Western Springs, Brookfield, Hollywood, Riverside, Harlem Avenue, or Berwyn. Passengers traveling from those stations can use Train #1312 departing Fairview Avenue at 4:12 p.m.

Weekend service will also see changes with four additional trains being added. This creates hourly inbound service between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m., and hourly outbound service between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 a.m., with a late-night outbound express train leaving Chicago for Downers Grove at 10:30 p.m. The weekend schedule applies equally on Saturdays and Sundays.

Minor adjustments in departure times for several other trains are also planned. The updated schedule is available on Metra’s website.

Metra stated its objective is “to accommodate the needs of our current riders and make the service a more attractive option for all travelers.”