If you’re planning to join in Chicago’s annual celebrations of all things Irish, Metra is your ticket to enjoying the festivities without the hassles of fighting traffic and finding a parking space.
Metra is providing extra service, including some express trains, on seven of its 11 lines, on Saturday, March 15 for the 70th Annual Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade. On Sunday, March 16, Metra is proving extra service on its Rock Island Line for the 46th Annual South Side Irish Parade.
“Riders know the value of taking Metra to big events and we’re happy to serve our community by providing extra service for one of Chicago’s most iconic celebrations,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “In fact, for the second year in a row, Metra will be joining in the celebrations with our very own parade float at both the Chicago and South Side Irish parades.”
For Saturday’s events, Metra will offer extra trains on its BNSF, Milwaukee District North, Milwaukee District West, Rock Island, Union Pacific North, Union Pacific Northwest and Union Pacific West lines. This includes early morning trains so you can make downtown in plenty of time to watch them dye the Chicago River green.
If your plans include celebrating at the largest community-based parade outside of Dublin, the Rock Island Line’s 103rd Street/Beverly Hills and 111th Street/Morgan Park stations are within walking distance of the route of the South Side Irish Parade down Western Avenue.
Details about train service for both events are available here.
Metra’s Saturday or Sunday Day and Weekend passes offer values that can’t be beat. Our $7 Saturday or Sunday Day Passes allow for unlimited travel on either day. Our $10 Weekend Pass (available only through the Ventra App) allows for unlimited travel on both days. To make it an even better deal, either pass can be used in conjunction with Metra’s Family Fares, which allow up to three children 11 and under to ride for free with a fare-paying adult.
Due to our expectation of high ridership on Saturday, March 15, Metra personnel will be checking tickets and requiring ticket purchases prior to boarding at most downtown terminals. While the Saturday or Sunday Day Passes will be for sale at vending machines, Metra recommends using the Ventra App, available from the App Store or Google Play, as the fastest and easiest way to purchase your ticket and keep it with you. Please note that student fares will not be available for onboard purchase on Saturday, March 15.
Alcohol is banned on all Metra trains on Saturday, March 15 and on all Rock Island Line trains on Sunday, March 16. Metra also advises cyclists that trains are expected to be crowded all weekend and there may not be room for bicycles on the trains. Customers are also asked to not bring backpacks or water bottles on the trains Saturday and should also expect slower boarding at stations due to increased passenger loads.
