# Metra's Dream Plan for Crosstown Service

> Metra aims to run trains every 15-30 minutes connecting suburbs to O'Hare via Union Station.
- Title: Metra's Dream Plan for Crosstown Service · Chicago Sun-Times
- Summary: Metra aims to run trains every 15-30 minutes connecting suburbs to O'Hare via Union Station. Metra's draft plan would create crosstown service with trains…
- Keywords: metra, union station, crosstown service, o'hare airport, regional rail, bnsf line, up-north line, frequent service, news, local, Metra's, Dream
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/transportation/2026/10/16/metra-shares-dream-plan-to-offer-trains-every-15-30-minutes
- Published: 2026-10-16T10:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: metra, union station, crosstown service, o'hare airport, regional rail, bnsf line, up-north line, frequent service, news, local
## Metra Unveils Regional Rail Plan
Metra released a draft Systemwide Network Plan to convert 11 commuter rail lines into all-day frequent regional rail.
## Crosstown Service Through Union Station
The plan would create crosstown service by running trains through Chicago’s Union Station.
## Trains Every 15-30 Minutes
Metra aims to run trains every 15-30 minutes connecting south and west suburbs directly to O’Hare Airport.
## $9 Billion Price Tag
The estimated cost of Metra’s plan is $9 billion, 18 times greater than its current $500 million infrastructure budget.
## First Phase: Frequent Service
Metra could add trains every 30-60 minutes with few track changes by dividing service into inner and outer zones.
## O’Hare Connection Challenge
Getting trains to O’Hare every 30 minutes is difficult due to shared tracks with freight railroads.
## Second Phase: 15-30 Minute Service
The second phase would run trains every 15-30 minutes and provide direct crosstown trips.
## Union Station Upgrade
The plan estimates a $610 million price tag to improve Union Station for train through service.
## Rock Island Line Option
Metra considers running the Rock Island Line through Union Station from LaSalle Street Station.
## Battery-Powered Trains
Metra needs many more smaller, faster battery-powered trains to achieve frequent service.
## Joseph Schwieterman's View
Joseph Schwieterman says the plan identifies routes best suited for crosstown service.
## Union Station Complexity
Metra acknowledges Union Station’s complexity and plans a detailed start with one through-track.
## Funding Challenges
Metra must negotiate with freight railroads and faces capacity issues at rail yards and Union Station.
## Post-Pandemic Response
Metra began studying regional rail in 2023 as a response to changing ridership habits post-COVID-19.
## Key takeaway

Metra's draft plan would create crosstown service with trains every 15-30 minutes by running through Union Station.