Metra, the operator of the Northeast Illinois commuter rail system, has reported an on-time performance rate of 95.7 percent for the month of August, compared to the month’s five-year average of 95 percent. Metra’s goal is to operate at least 95 percent of its trains on time.
“We’ve worked hard to minimize delays due to construction activity, but we know that some construction work has impacted our on-time performance this summer,” said Don Orseno, Metra executive director and CEO. “While repairs to our tracks and ties will always be necessary to maintain our system, we continue to find ways to minimize the impact of this work on our customers.”
Metra follows the rest of the U.S. commuter railroad industry in considering a train to have operated on time if it reaches its final destination within five minutes and 59 seconds of its scheduled arrival.
This August, Metra recorded 780 of 18,245 trains were late by six minutes or more, with the most common cause being track construction. Human error, mechanical issues and freight interference were other major causes of Metra train delays in August 2016.