What is the busiest Metra stop?

Here are some interesting tidbits from our latest ridership census, conducted in 2016: Route 59 on the BNSF Line retains its title as the busiest station in the Metra system, while the Ivanhoe Station on the Metra Electric Line is exactly average, according to Metra's 2016 ridership census.



Excluding the major downtown Chicago terminals (like Union Station and Ogilvie Transportation Center), the busiest Metra stop is consistently the Naperville station on the BNSF Line. As a major hub for the "western suburbs," Naperville serves thousands of daily commuters heading into the Loop. Its high volume is driven by the city's large population and its status as a commercial center in its own right. Other heavily used stations include Route 59 (also on the BNSF Line) and the Evanston stations on the Union Pacific North Line. Within the downtown area, Chicago Union Station is the absolute busiest, serving as the nexus for multiple Metra lines as well as Amtrak's national network. In 2026, Metra has seen a significant shift in traffic patterns due to hybrid work; while "peak" rush hour remains busy, there has been a notable increase in midday and weekend ridership at suburban hubs like Naperville and Arlington Heights, as people utilize the rail system for leisure and regional travel. The BNSF Line remains the "workhorse" of the Metra system, consistently carrying the highest total passenger volume of any of the eleven lines.

People Also Ask

Route 59 on the BNSF Line has been Metra's busiest station for more than a decade. Naperville, also on the BNSF, was second and Ravenswood on the Union Pacific North Line ranked third.

MORE DETAILS

Metra Rock Island Line train carrying hundreds of passengers derails in South Loop. A Metra Rock Island train derailed near Clark and 13th streets in the South Loop. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Hundreds of passengers were evacuated after a Metra Rock Island train car derailed in Chicago Monday morning.

MORE DETAILS

While Metra owns all rolling stock, the management and crews are BNSF employees. BNSF is the owner of the right-of-way, controls the line and handles dispatching from corporate headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. Metra imposes a 70 mph maximum allowed speed for passenger trains.

MORE DETAILS

Shinjuku is often referred to as the world's busiest station in terms of daily passenger throughput. The station acts as a hub to connect rail traffic between central Tokyo and its western suburbs through a range of inter-city rail, commuter rail and metro lines.

MORE DETAILS

By replacing diesel power with battery power, Metra will significantly reduce its emissions footprint and greatly improve air quality for its riders and the Chicago region. The battery-powered locomotives are expected to be less noisy and have lower operating costs and lower maintenance costs than diesel locomotives.

MORE DETAILS

As of October, the FRA has recorded 742 incident reports for train derailments in 2023. Additionally, railroads reported 59 collisions, 12 fires, and 138 highway-rail-crossing incidents, which could include cars or any other vehicles or people at the crossing site.

MORE DETAILS