CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Because of COVID-19, Nebraska-based Union Pacific, which runs three Metra lines in the Chicago area, would not let conductors walk among passengers to collect fares.
But it was costing Metra $1 million a month in revenue.
Metra spokesman Michael Gillis said a proposed resolution is underway, though it raises some concerns.
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After first refusing to have conductors collect fares on its North, Northwest and West lines as a health precaution, the UP lines are stationing workers at Ogilvie Station to check tickets of those getting on and off trains.
Gillis said Metra worries about the fare collection points causing crowds that don’t social distance.
But, Union Pacific spokesperson Kristin South said there have been no reports of that, and things are running smoothly.
South said it like passengers getting on and off a bus or any other type of mass transit.
Ridership, though, is still just over ten percent of normal.