Chicago BNSF line?

[Admiral Beez]

I’m flying with a colleague to Chicago Midway for a meeting in Aurora, IL. Here’s my route:

Car: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2KXFPjWxW44Sp6gL8?g_st=ic
Train: https://maps.app.goo.gl/v9kJjoY9TwDQUeGEA?g_st=ic

I was thinking of taking Uber from Midway to the closest train station and then another Uber from the Aurora station. But would that be any cheaper for two people than taking an Uber all the way?

And what’s the BNSF train system like?

BNSF Railway - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[crs1026]

^Take the train, at any price. The Aurora line has a lot to absorb. It's the safer side of Chicago, so no worries about using that service - and the way in which freight and commuter services interleave is fascinating.

PS - The El serves Midway, better way to get into town than Uber imho.

- Paul

 

[Northern Light]

I’m flying with a colleague to Chicago Midway for a meeting in Aurora, IL. Here’s my route:

Car: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2KXFPjWxW44Sp6gL8?g_st=ic
Train: https://maps.app.goo.gl/v9kJjoY9TwDQUeGEA?g_st=ic

I was thinking of taking Uber from Midway to the closest train station

That's Cicero Station, its ~ 7km from Midway.

Travel time (by METRA schedule) Cicero to Aurora is 1hr 2m

Off-peak service is hourly.

Peak service is more; but with the caveat that not all of it runs all the way to Aurora, so read the schedule carefully.

and then another Uber from the Aurora station. But would that be any cheaper for two people than taking an Uber all the way?

The Metra fare for Cicero to Aurora, one-way, shows as $3.75USD

For Uber, use their fare estimator:

https://www.uber.com/global/en/price-estimate/

And what’s the BNSF train system like?

Its a contract service for METRA; Chicago's version of GO

The schedules are here: Note for your line that there is a schedule change on April 29th/24 and both the current and new schedules are posted:

https://ridertools.metrarail.com/maps-schedules'

As to rider experience there's a youtube video for that:

 

[IRT_BMT_IND]

CPKC and Metrolinx could learn from the BNSF racetrack. And BNSF has way more freight traffic on this line than probably any CP line in eastern Canada.

 

[reinventingthewheel]

Drove to visit in-laws in Aurora back in February, took the BNSF round trip to Chicago Union one day. It’s relatively cozy and scenic all the way. It travels parallel with town roads for some suburban areas of the route so there are lots of buildings facing towards you while you ride.