City of Blue Island Think Outside the Loop
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FROM METRA:
Metra began operating an alternate weekday schedule on Monday, March 23, to adjust for the reduced number of riders due to school closures, work-from-home mandates and other consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. The alternate schedules, which can be viewed here, represent about half of Metra’s normal weekday service but provide adequate service for those who still need to travel.
There are changes for every line except the Heritage Corridor, which is operating its normal schedule. Where we can, we are maintaining the number of cars on trains to allow for social distancing. The reduced schedules will remain in effect until health officials deem the crisis has passed and/or ridership begins to return to normal.
In the meantime, keeping our customers and employees safe is Metra’s top priority. We are doing what we can to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The measures we are taking include:
• Continuing to clean our cars every day, with a concentration on disinfecting high-touch areas such as handrails, armrests and doors. We are bringing on extra crews on weekends, when most cars are not in use, to do additional cleaning and disinfecting of our cars and locomotives.
• Cleaning Metra-maintained stations multiple times a week. We will maintain our schedule and will pay special attention to disinfecting high-touch surfaces. We are also bringing in extra crews to increase the cleaning and disinfecting of downtown stations. We have also asked the municipalities or other entities that maintain the stations in their communities to do the same.
• Adding to our inventory of hygienic supplies including hand sanitizers, sanitizing wipes and disinfectants so employees have ample amounts of these essential supplies.
While the immediate health risk from the virus causing COVID-19 remains low in both Illinois and the U.S., we also urge our customers and employees to take precautions recommended by federal, state and local healthcare officials.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If a tissue is not available, cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow or shoulder.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
We will continue to monitor this situation and work with health officials.
Medical Personnel Ride Free Coronavirus Pandemic
Doctors, nurses, EMTs, paramedics and other medical personnel on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic will now be able to ride free on Metra trains for the duration of the state’s “stay at home” order.
To ride free, medical personnel only need to present a work ID showing that they are employed at a hospital, doctor’s office, medical facility or local fire department to a Metra conductor.
“We know it’s a small gesture but if it makes this all a little bit easier for these men and women who are bravely showing up at work every day and saving lives during this crisis, it’s the right thing to do,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski.
For more information, please see our website: www.metrarail.com.
