Metra is considering renaming all of its lines, as the rail agency prepares to take over operation of three Union Pacific routes.
But before the takeover goes into effect, Metra and Union Pacific must resolve a compensation dispute that has spurred Metra to sue the freight railroad. Metra warned the dispute could lead to the end of commuter rail service on the Union Pacific lines, which make up 39% of its ridership, as soon as July 1.
The federal lawsuit, filed Friday, is the latest development in efforts to transfer operation of Metra’s busy Union Pacific North, Northwest and West lines to the commuter railroad. For decades, Metra paid Union Pacific to operate passenger service on the three lines using Metra equipment, but in 2019 Union Pacific began trying to end operation of the service.
After a yearslong legal dispute, Metra was left to take over the passenger service and the transition is underway. But the two railroads cannot agree on the price Metra will pay Union Pacific to use the tracks on the three lines, with Metra, in the lawsuit, calling Union Pacific’s proposed rates “commercially unreasonable and monopolistic.”
“Despite knowing that Metra cannot agree to these terms, and that commuter rail service on the UP Lines is threatened as a result, Union Pacific has refused to budge,” Metra attorneys wrote in the suit. “For the first time since before the Civil War, passenger rail service on the UP Lines may end.”
Metra warned Union Pacific could try to end commuter rail service on its lines after an extension of the existing agreement between the two railroads expires June 30. The two railroads have been extending the agreement while they hash out details of the transfer, but Metra said there was no guarantee they would agree to more extensions or that they’d reach a new, final deal.
Metra also filed an application with the Surface Transportation Board, a federal railroad regulator, seeking to require Union Pacific to allow Metra to continue using the lines. The board had previously helped mediate the rate dispute, but Metra and Union Pacific did not reach a settlement.
Metra declined to disclose how much money is at issue in the dispute, spokesman Michael Gillis said.
Union Pacific spokeswoman Robynn Tysver said the freight railroad was reviewing the lawsuit and federal board filing.
Metra has already brought on hundreds of former Union Pacific employees as part of the transition. That includes 375 mechanical department workers, who maintain equipment and work in storehouses, and 34 customer response staff who came over to Metra in 2024, Gillis said.
This spring another 360 transportation department workers are set to work for Metra, including engineers and conductors. Eventually several dozen more from the engineering department are slated to come over as well, Gillis said.
Metra was previously paying for the staff through an agreement with Union Pacific, and now pays them directly as employees, he said.
In the suit, Metra said Union Pacific should consider facility improvements Metra has paid for over the years. The commuter rail agency said Union Pacific’s moves effectively monopolize use of the UP lines, amounting to an antitrust violation.
Metra asked the court to rule in its favor and make several requirements of Union Pacific. Metra also asked for damages “in at least a nominal amount,” attorneys fees and other costs.
In the meantime, Metra is preparing to phase out the use of “Union Pacific” from the names of the three lines, sparking an effort to rename all 11 of its lines.
Some of the lines, like the Union Pacific and BNSF routes, are named after freight railroads, while others, like the SouthWest Service, are named for directions. Metra Electric is named for the way the trains are powered. Each line is identified on maps and signs by a different color.
Metra is instead proposing three options. One would keep all current names and colors except for the three Union Pacific lines. Another would number lines and pair them with an M, referring to them as M1, M2 or M3. Under this second option, all lines would be shown in a single color on maps and signs.
The third option would identify lines by a letter indicating the direction in which they lead from downtown, paired with a number. For example, the UP-North could be N1, and the UP-West could be W2. This option would color-code lines by the downtown station at which they terminate.
The goal, Metra said, is to make the system easier to understand and encourage people to ride more often, especially infrequent or first-time riders. Seven out of 10 riders take Metra once a month or less, the agency said.
The effort is part of a larger overhaul of Metra’s signs, expected to be complete in 2029. The effort will replace a hodgepodge of signs installed over the years with ones that are more uniform in appearance and language.
Design of the sign project is expected to cost $8 million, Gillis said. Metra does not yet have an estimated cost to make and install them.
Metra is offering an online survey and three in-person events this week at its downtown stations. The events are being held from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Union Station, Wednesday at Ogilvie Transportation Center and Thursday at Millennium and LaSalle Street stations.
Metra lines could be set for new names, as the agency prepares to take over Union Pacific routes. But first, Metra and Union Pacific must resolve a compensation dispute.
Metra is considering renaming all of its lines, as the rail agency prepares to take over operation of three Union Pacific routes.
But before the takeover goes into effect, Metra and Union Pacific must resolve a compensation dispute that has spurred Metra to sue the freight railroad. Metra warned the dispute could lead to the end of commuter rail service on the Union Pacific lines, which make up 39% of its ridership, as soon as July 1.
The federal lawsuit, filed Friday, is the latest development in efforts to transfer operation of Metra’s busy Union Pacific North, Northwest and West lines to the commuter railroad. For decades, Metra paid Union Pacific to operate passenger service on the three lines using Metra equipment, but in 2019 Union Pacific began trying to end operation of the service.
After a yearslong legal dispute, Metra was left to take over the passenger service and the transition is underway. But the two railroads cannot agree on the price Metra will pay Union Pacific to use the tracks on the three lines, with Metra, in the lawsuit, calling Union Pacific’s proposed rates “commercially unreasonable and monopolistic.”
“Despite knowing that Metra cannot agree to these terms, and that commuter rail service on the UP Lines is threatened as a result, Union Pacific has refused to budge,” Metra attorneys wrote in the suit. “For the first time since before the Civil War, passenger rail service on the UP Lines may end.”
Metra warned Union Pacific could try to end commuter rail service on its lines after an extension of the existing agreement between the two railroads expires June 30. The two railroads have been extending the agreement while they hash out details of the transfer, but Metra said there was no guarantee they would agree to more extensions or that they’d reach a new, final deal.
Metra also filed an application with the Surface Transportation Board, a federal railroad regulator, seeking to require Union Pacific to allow Metra to continue using the lines. The board had previously helped mediate the rate dispute, but Metra and Union Pacific did not reach a settlement.
Metra declined to disclose how much money is at issue in the dispute, spokesman Michael Gillis said.
Union Pacific spokeswoman Robynn Tysver said the freight railroad was reviewing the lawsuit and federal board filing.
Metra has already brought on hundreds of former Union Pacific employees as part of the transition. That includes 375 mechanical department workers, who maintain equipment and work in storehouses, and 34 customer response staff who came over to Metra in 2024, Gillis said.
This spring another 360 transportation department workers are set to work for Metra, including engineers and conductors. Eventually several dozen more from the engineering department are slated to come over as well, Gillis said.
Metra was previously paying for the staff through an agreement with Union Pacific, and now pays them directly as employees, he said.
In the suit, Metra said Union Pacific should consider facility improvements Metra has paid for over the years. The commuter rail agency said Union Pacific’s moves effectively monopolize use of the UP lines, amounting to an antitrust violation.
Metra asked the court to rule in its favor and make several requirements of Union Pacific. Metra also asked for damages “in at least a nominal amount,” attorneys fees and other costs.
In the meantime, Metra is preparing to phase out the use of “Union Pacific” from the names of the three lines, sparking an effort to rename all 11 of its lines.
Some of the lines, like the Union Pacific and BNSF routes, are named after freight railroads, while others, like the SouthWest Service, are named for directions. Metra Electric is named for the way the trains are powered. Each line is identified on maps and signs by a different color.
Metra is instead proposing three options. One would keep all current names and colors except for the three Union Pacific lines. Another would number lines and pair them with an M, referring to them as M1, M2 or M3. Under this second option, all lines would be shown in a single color on maps and signs.
The third option would identify lines by a letter indicating the direction in which they lead from downtown, paired with a number. For example, the UP-North could be N1, and the UP-West could be W2. This option would color-code lines by the downtown station at which they terminate.
The goal, Metra said, is to make the system easier to understand and encourage people to ride more often, especially infrequent or first-time riders. Seven out of 10 riders take Metra once a month or less, the agency said.
The effort is part of a larger overhaul of Metra’s signs, expected to be complete in 2029. The effort will replace a hodgepodge of signs installed over the years with ones that are more uniform in appearance and language.
Design of the sign project is expected to cost $8 million, Gillis said. Metra does not yet have an estimated cost to make and install them.
Metra is offering an online survey and three in-person events this week at its downtown stations. The events will be held from 3:30 to 6 p.m. March 11 at Union Station, March 12 at Ogilvie Transportation Center and March 13 at Millenium and LaSalle Street stations.
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