Metra Train Services Disrupted
By Arnab Ghosh, Gaea News NetworkWednesday, February 2, 2011
CHICAGO (GaeaTimes.com)- The Metra train service in Chicago was hit by the blizzard and inclement weather like other transit services and the commuters had to bear the brunt as always. The met office issued warning about the storm which prompted the residents to leave for work early on Tuesday but they did not succeed much. Thousands of commuters found themselves struck in transit much to their dismay. The chaos of the snow laden roads was also witnessed at train stations on Tuesday and early Wednesday. A huge number of passengers crammed into Metra rail platforms which added to the woes of the rail staff. Frequent announcements were made by the staffs and trains were made to halt at additional stops. Despite the best effort of the Metra train staff the commuters were not spared the delay and turmoil.
On some of the Metra Train lines delays exceeding two hour was reported. To add to the woe of the train staff and hordes of commuters, defects in track switching system took place which eventually led to train cancellation in some routes and delays. A Metra spokesperson said that the blowing snow was to be blamed for the added woes. Metra on its part said that it will keep updating its site for the benefit of the commuters and Twitter subscribers will also receive updates on their mobiles.
In another incident a cab was hit by a Metra train around 10.20 pm near Fulton Streets. The cab was badly damaged though no casualty or injury was reported. It is not known if this accident was caused by the strong snow storm.
