Service and capacity added throughout the weekend
Every year, thousands of people from across the Chicago region crowd the city’s lakefront to watch the impressive displays of military and civilian flight aerobatics during the annual Chicago Air and Water Show. Metra makes going to the show even easier with extra service on August 17 and 18.
“Our customers know the value of taking Metra to summer events like the Air and Water Show, and we’re happy to help them avoid the hassles of driving and parking,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “Plus, the $10 Weekend Pass and Family Fares program make Metra a very affordable choice.”
Metra will provide extra trains on the BNSF, Union Pacific North, Union Pacific Northwest and Union Pacific West lines, as well as expanded passenger capacity on the Metra Electric Line to accommodate the large number of people planning to attend the nation’s largest free air and water show. Full schedules for each line are available on the website at metrarail.com.
Families can save money on a trip to the city with Metra’s $10 Weekend Pass, which provides unlimited rides on Metra Saturday and Sunday. Plus, up to three children 11 and under are able to ride free with each adult through Labor Day. Metra Monthly Pass holders can also use their pass for unlimited rides throughout the Metra system on weekends. Purchasing Metra tickets has also never been easier with the Ventra App, which allows you to buy Metra tickets right from your smartphone. Download it from the App Store or Google Play. For more information or to plan your trip, visit the website metrarail.com.
Once you arrive downtown, a variety of travel connections provide easy access to the lakefront. Customers disembarking at Chicago Union Station or Millennium Station can board the CTA’s #151 bus to Oak Street and North Avenue beaches. The CTA’s #151 bus also stops within walking distance of Ogilvie Transportation Center and LaSalle Street Station. CTA bus schedule and route information can be found at the CTA’s website, transitchicago.com. The west loop stations also have water taxi service and all downtown stations are steps from Divvy bike stations.
Metra customers should be advised that alcoholic beverages and glass containers will not be allowed on trains all day on Saturday and Sunday (August 17 and 18). Bicycle warning dates also will be in effect throughout the event, meaning that due to higher than normal ridership, it is likely that trains will not be able to accommodate bicycles on board.
Find more information about the Chicago Air and Water Show at cityofchicago.org.
