Metra in May posted an on-time performance rate of 96.5 percent, exceeding its goal for the 27th consecutive month, and also exceeding the five-year average for the month of May of 96 percent.
Metra’s goal is to operate at least 95 percent of its trains on time. Like the rest of the U.S. commuter railroad industry, Metra considers a train to have operated on time if it reaches its final destination within five minutes and 59 seconds of its scheduled arrival.
“Our customers expect and deserve timely service,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno. “That’s why we remain committed to providing them with service that is reliable and safe every single day.”
In May, 620 of 17,706 trains were tardy by six minutes or more. The most common cause for delays was related to mechanical issues. Track construction and signal/switch failure were other major causes of Metra train delays in May.
Cause |
Primary |
Secondary |
Total |
Rank |
Mechanical |
36 |
74 |
110 |
1 |
Track Construction |
89 |
9 |
98 |
2 |
Signal/Switch Failure |
61 |
30 |
91 |
3 |
Obstruction/Debris |
35 |
43 |
78 |
4 |
Human Error |
31 |
24 |
55 |
5 |
Freight Interference |
39 |
10 |
49 |
6 |
Train Loading |
32 |
4 |
36 |
7 |
Lift Deployment |
18 |
4 |
22 |
8 |
Other |
14 |
8 |
22 |
8 |
Sick/Injured/Unruly Passengers |
15 |
5 |
20 |
10 |
Passenger Train Interference |
10 |
9 |
19 |
11 |
Right-of-Way Accidents |
7 |
11 |
18 |
12 |
Weather |
2 |
0 |
2 |
13 |
Catenary Failure |
0 |
0 |
0 |
14 |
Total |
389 |
231 |
620 |
|