Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Why doesn’t Metra have wireless internet on its trains yet? Mostly because it would be enormously expensive and a technological challenge, too. But should they?
Should Metra get Wi-Fi? Even if it’s expensive and hard to implement and maintain? The commuter-rail network is considering the possibility, the Chicago Tribune and other news agencies report, but price and technology continue to be two major barriers, despite that a DePaul University report shows 48 percent of Metra riders use personal electronic devices during their commutes. According to the paper, it could cost over $70 million to install wireless internet on all 11 Metra lines over five years—though some of that could perhaps be recouped by paid plans or sponsorships—and there’s a fear that the technology might quickly become obsolete or go unused by customers who prefer other connectivity, like smart-phone hotspots or air-cards. "(…
Monday, March 18, 2013
Hough Street School is collecting cards to send to Dominic Szymanski while he recovers from his injuries.
Hough Street School in Barrington is collecting cards and letters for Dominic Szymanski, the 11-year-old boy struck by a Metra train on Friday. Szymanski is currently in stable condition after the ordeal. A passing train apparently obscured the view of the oncoming train which hit a Barrington fifth-grader, Friday night, according to District 220 Chief Communications Officer Jeff Arnett. "From what I understand from the police, is that he was at Route 59 and Lake-Cook Road, waiting for a passing train. The passing train obscured the view of another train. When he saw that train, it was too late," Arnett said. Read a full report of the incident. Szymanski is being treated at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. For those interested …
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Many in the Barrington community are asking how they can help. Share positive messages of encouragement and hope with the boy and his family.
The 11-year-old boy struck by a Metra train on March 15 is reportedly out of critical condition. Read the initial report of the train incident District 220 Chief Communications Officer Jeff Arnett said the boy is doing better, but has a long recovery ahead of him. He's currently at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. Arnett is currently working with the Hough Street School PTO to see how families can help. In the meantime, share positive words of encouragement with the boy and his family in the comments section of this article. We will pass them along to District 220 to make sure the family sees them.
Friday, March 15, 2013
The 11-year-old struck by a Metra train, Dominic Szymanski, is hoping to return to Hough Street School as soon as he is able.
UPDATE 3:51 p.m., March 18: Eleven-year-old Dominic Szymanski, the Hough Street Elementary fifth-grader struck by the train in Barrington Friday evening, is doing much better, according to the latest update from Barrington 220. He remains in stable condition with additional surgeries and medical procedures scheduled this week. His family says his spirits are very good and he is beginning to receive cards and well-wishes from his classmates. Dominic is expected to remain in the hospital for several days but is hoping to return to school as soon as he is able. UPDATE 9:55 p.m., March 16: Information from District 220 The Hough School student, 11-year-old Dominic Szymanski, injured in Friday's train accident is not yet fully aware of the …
Monday, February 4, 2013
The price of the 10-ride ticket is no longer discounted.
Metra riders are no longer getting a discount for purchasing a 10-ride fare. The Metra Board of Directors voted last month to change the cost of the once discounted 10-ride pass to be equivalent to the price of 10 one-way fares, instead of nine. The change was made to help fund capital improvement projects, the Pioneer Press reports. The policy went into effect Feb 1. Barrington commuters will now pay $62.50 for a 10-ride pass, or $6.25 for a one-way ticket. Monthly passes are $178 and weekend tickets are $7. Ten-ride tickets purchased between Nov. 17 and Jan. 31 are valid through Feb. 28. What do you think about the Metra fare increase? Will you take Metra less?
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Metra is hosting public meetings on fare increases.
Metra will host a public meeting at the Arlington Heights village hall later today to get feedback from the community on Metra’s capital funding priorities, which could increase train fares. An additional meeting for the public will be held at Grayslake Village Hall, 10 S. Seymour Ave. Grayslake, Thursday Nov. 8 also from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. According to Metra, several scenarios have been proposed to increase fares or change fare policies in order to generate necessary capital funding. The various scenarios outline the capital dollars that could be generated through a 1 percent or more hike in the base fare and/or through changes in the prices of ten-ride and monthly tickets. Currently, a ten-ride ticket is priced at the cost of nine one-…
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Peapod has set up 'virtual store aisles' at the train station, so commuters can shop for food and have it delivered to home or office. Chicago specialties like Big Bowl, Wildfire, are included.
If you're waiting for a train at the Metra station, you'll now be able to shop for groceries—including some Chicago specialty foods—at the same time. Peapod, a grocery delivery service with headquarters in Skokie and a huge warehouse in Lake Zurich, has set up "virtual shopping aisles" at 17 stations in the Chicago area. Like Lake Zurich Patch on Facebook Commuters can check out the Peapod display on signs at the stations, download a Peapod app on their smartphones, then scan the groceries they want for delivery to their homes or offices. The products aren't just cereal and milk, either. "We're trying to showcase local products," said Elana Margolis, Peapod's director of public relations, explaining the store will carry Chicago …
Friday, June 22, 2012
The Lake County Coroner's Office says it's still unclear if the incident was a suicide.
UPDATE June 27 3:30 p.m.: The Lake County Coroner's Office tells Barrington Patch the investigation in the Ghaussy death is still ongoing. For this reason, they cannot reveal if the incident has been labeled as a suicide, an accident or other another cause. The investigation should be wrapped up by mid-July. We will have more information for the public at that time. Daoud (David) Ghaussy's obituary ... The person hit and killed by a Metra train on June 17 has been identified. The Lake County Coroner's Office has identified the deceased as 44-year-old Daoud Ghaussy of Barrington. Ghaussy was struck by a Metra train at 11:15 a.m. on June 17 at the intersection of Cuba Road and Route 14. The Lake County Coroner's Office says Ghaussy's …
Sunday, June 17, 2012
The incident happened Sunday, June 17 around 11:15 a.m.
UPDATE 8:55 a.m.: The Lake County Coroner reports that the deceased has not yet been identified. The cause of death has been confirmed as multiple traumatic injuries. The coroner's office says it's too early to say if the incident was a suicide or accidental. ... A pedestrian was killed after being hit by a Metra Train on Father's Day. It happened around 11:15 a.m. at Cuba Road and Route 14 along the Union Pacific Northwest line, between the Fox River Grove and Barrington Metra Stations. Metra officials say the incident also damaged the train upon impact, causing an extremely long delay for passengers. "The train was stopped for quite a long time partially because the train itself was damaged in the incident. The passengers were taken…
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MIKETOUHY
8:35 pm on Thursday, May 16, 2013
Just for those who were not around back then, all of the Metra lines were privately owned a 1 time and Mr. Heineman was President of The Chicago and North Western which ran over what's now the UP Metra divisions. more ›