Tried taking the Metra from Naperville to Ogilvie for 2 weeks straight

I moved to Naperville last month thinking I'd save on rent and just commute downtown for work. First week I did the drive, parked near Ogilvie, paid $28 a day. Second week I tried the Metra from the Naperville station. Ticket was about $7 each way, so $14 total. But here's the thing - the train took 45 minutes each way, which is actually faster than my drive during rush hour. Plus I could sit and read or scroll my phone instead of gripping the steering wheel. Learned that the monthly pass cuts it down to around $100 total, way cheaper than parking alone. Anyone else make the switch from driving to Metra and find it changed your whole commute vibe?

3 comments

3 Comments

lauras837d ago

Ugh the Metra from Naperville is a whole different world from driving. I remember my first month doing that commute and thinking I was saving money but losing my mind in traffic. The monthly pass thing was a game changer for me too once I realized how much I was spending on tickets. Have you found a go to spot on the train or do you just grab any seat?

blairtaylor7d ago

Take it from someone who's been riding for years - there's no such thing as a good spot, just different levels of bad. My personal favorite is the "please don't sit next to me" seat where the armrest is conveniently broken. Between the guy loudly taking conference calls and the person who treats their backpack like a third passenger, it's really just a daily lottery on wheels.

brown.gavin6d ago

Nail it on the backpack thing. I had a guy last week spread his bag across two seats and glare at anyone who looked his way. Makes me wonder though, do you ever just call them out or is it not worth the headache? I figure by the time I work up the nerve we're already at my stop.

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