In August, 731 of 18,296 trains were tardy by six minutes or more. The most common causes for delays were related to signal/switch failure, increased passenger loadings, and track construction.
The campaign is designed to evoke an emotional response from prospective customers and, ultimately, get them to consider the stress-relief advantages of riding Metra versus the frustrations of driving their car to work.
The exact number will depend on the responses to the RFP, the amount of funding available, and whether Metra can use financing alternatives, such as leasing, to maximize its funding.
The first round of the program, which began in 2010 and cost $115 million, renovated 176 railcars that were manufactured by Amerail (originally Morrison Knudson) and delivered to Metra between 1995 and 1998.
Orseno began his career in 1974 as a ticket collector on Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railroad commuter trains.
"Taking over the train with a rowdy group” was the behavior that most concerned survey respondents, followed by “hands-free sneezing and coughing."
Uber’s name will be featured on a wide range of promotional materials, including posters displayed at train stations and on Metra trains, timetables, mailing inserts and at ticket office windows.