Chicagoland RailFrequently asked questions
Quick answers about Chicagoland Rail — the free, live Metra train tracker for Chicago commuters.
- Is Chicagoland Rail affiliated with Metra?
- No. Chicagoland Rail is an independent, free tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Metra. It uses Metra's public GTFS and GTFS‑realtime data to show schedules and live service information.
- Is it free?
- Yes — completely free, with no ads and no account. Your saved routes and preferences are stored on your own device.
- Which Metra lines does it cover?
- All 11 Metra lines: BNSF Railway, Union Pacific North (UP‑N), Union Pacific Northwest (UP‑NW), Union Pacific West (UP‑W), Milwaukee District North (MD‑N), Milwaukee District West (MD‑W), North Central Service (NCS), Heritage Corridor (HC), Rock Island (RI), SouthWest Service (SWS), and Metra Electric (ME). See the full list with routes.
- Does it show real‑time delays and cancellations?
- Yes. When Metra's realtime feed reports a train running late, the scheduled time is struck through and the adjusted time and delay are shown; cancelled trains are clearly labeled. Realtime data is polled about every 30 seconds.
- Where does the data come from, and how accurate is it?
- Schedules come from Metra's public GTFS static feed (refreshed daily); delays, cancellations, vehicle positions, and alerts come from Metra's GTFS‑realtime feeds. Accuracy matches Metra's own published data — the app reflects whatever Metra reports.
- Can I get delay alerts or a morning briefing?
- Yes. After saving a route you can opt in to background push notifications for new delays and cancellations on your line, plus a daily morning briefing with your first trains and any alerts — delivered even when the app is closed. On iPhone, add the app to your Home Screen first.
- Does it work on iPhone and Android? Can I install it?
- Yes. It runs in any modern browser and installs as a Progressive Web App (PWA) on both iPhone and Android via Add to Home Screen / Install app, launching full‑screen like a native app.
- Does it work offline?
- The interface and your last‑loaded board work offline; live times and updates require a connection. It's built to keep showing your most recent data when you lose signal underground or between stations.
- How much do Metra tickets cost?
- Metra uses distance‑based fare zones. Current full one‑way fares are $3.75, $5.50, or $6.75 depending on how many zones you travel through, with Day Passes and Monthly Passes priced accordingly. Chicagoland Rail shows the exact one‑way, day, and monthly price for your specific trip — and when a monthly pass pays off. (Fares are set by Metra and can change.)
- Is my data private, and do I need an account?
- No account is required. Your routes and settings are stored locally on your device, not on a server. The app is cookieless and doesn't collect personal information.