Metra website:
Metra Coronavirus response
Dear Metra Customers,
Please know that Metra is doing everything it can to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). We understand the importance of regularly cleaning and disinfecting our stations and equipment for the health and safety of our customers and employees. You can read about our efforts below. Customers can do their part, too, by following the guidelines of health professionals to prevent the spread of the virus, including regularly washing your hands, covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze and other measures. Metra will remain in touch with federal, state and local health authorities and will make any changes to our procedures as necessary.
Thank you and be safe.
Jim Derwinski
CEO/Executive Director
Keeping our customers and employees safe is Metra’s top priority. We are doing what we can to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The measures we are taking include:
- Continuing to clean our cars every day, with a concentration on disinfecting high-touch areas such as handrails, armrests and doors. Starting this weekend, we will be bringing on extra crews on weekends to do additional cleaning and disinfecting of our cars and locomotives.
- Cleaning Metra-maintained stations multiple times a week. We will maintain our schedule and will pay special attention to disinfecting high-touch surfaces. We are also bringing in extra crews to increase the cleaning and disinfecting of downtown stations. We have also asked the municipalities or other entities that maintain the stations in their communities to do the same.
- Adding to our inventory of hygienic supplies including hand sanitizers, sanitizing wipes and disinfectants so employees have ample amounts of these essential supplies.
While the immediate health risk from the virus causing COVID-19 remains low in both Illinois and the U.S., we also urge our customers and employees to take precautions recommended by federal, state and local healthcare officials.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If a tissue is not available, cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow or shoulder.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
We will continue to monitor this situation and work with health officials.
For updates, call Illinois’ COVID-19 Hotline at 1.800.889.3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.
You can also get updates from the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).