Imagine a train pulling into a station. This is not just any station. This is O’Hare Transfer Metra Station.
Welcome to O’Hare Transfer Metra Station. It is a vital link for travelers. This station connects you to O’Hare International Airport. It is located at 10300 W. Zemke Boulevard in Chicago.
O’Hare Transfer Metra Station opened on August 19, 1996. The station is 18.6 miles from Chicago Union Station. It serves Metra’s North Central Service.
The station is not typically a primary access point to O’Hare. This is due to limited weekday service. The North Central Service offers infrequent trains. But, don’t let that fool you. O’Hare Transfer Metra Station plays a crucial role.
In 2018, the station saw an average of 113 weekday boardings. It ranked 183rd out of 236 non-downtown Metra stations.
The O’Hare Transfer Metra Station connects to the Airport Transit System. This people mover offers a free ride to all four airport terminals. Two Pace bus routes also stop at the lower level of the ATS station.
As of February 15, 2024, 12 trains serve O’Hare Transfer daily on weekdays. Six trains head in each direction. All trains usually stop at the westernmost platform. Listen for announcements. Trains sometimes use the easternmost platform.
Metra expanded service for the 2024 Democratic National Convention. There were 15 hourly round trips between O’Hare Transfer and Union Station. These ran on weekdays. Weekends saw 16 hourly round trips. These served the same stations but did not go north of O’Hare Transfer.
The Multi Modal Facility is near O’Hare Transfer Metra Station. It opened on November 7, 2018. The MMF houses the Airport Transit System and Pace buses. This facility enhances connectivity.
The Airport Transit System connects to Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 5. Pace buses connect to Dempster Street and Mannheim/LaGrange Roads. The Pulse Dempster Line also stops here.
In 2022, O’Hare handled nearly 664000 commercial flights. It also served over 68.3 million passengers. Metra addresses this with its North Central line. This line has 12 trains on weekdays only.
Metra is considering expanding service to O’Hare. Jim Derwinski wants to move the plan from concept to design. New trains designed for luggage could be part of the plan.
Expanded service requires infrastructure improvements. These include flyovers, crossovers, and mainline sidings. Metra is seeking agreements with Canadian National and CPKC. These companies own and dispatch parts of the route.
In the meantime, Metra secured a $750000 federal grant. The aim is to improve the O’Hare Transfer Station. The grant will make it more comfortable and useful. It will also create a better airport access alternative.
O’Hare Transfer Metra Station is more than just a stop. It is a gateway. It links the city to the world. It could soon offer even greater service. This will enhance the travel experience for millions.