(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Everyone is looking to "beat the heat" as Chicago experiences sizzling temperatures this week.
Metra spokesperson Meg Reile said they're doing what they can to keep commuters safe and "cool."
“The goal all around is our employees’ safety and our passengers’ safety. So if there are problems, we're gonna get out there and try to address them.
“But we are working and not putting cars into service that are, you know, are having air conditioning problems – and being out in the yard trying to fix those cars – but making sure they don't get into service or taken out of service immediately.”
Reile said that mass transit is a way to help fight climate change.
“Anything that's going to remove vehicles from the roadways and remove, you know, reduce pollutants – we're definitely in that, you know, in that category.”
Reile says anything that removes vehicles can help "cool the planet," and public transit is poised to help.
“We're still in recovery mode from COVID. So, we are able to take on more passengers. We have created a new scheduling system that also increases midday trips. So, we're an opportunity for people to take us more frequently throughout the day now.”
Metra says when it gets this hot they increase their inspections to every day. Also, when the temperature exceeds 95 degrees, they also have to slow operating speeds on most lines by about ten miles per hour to decrease stress on the rails.
Slower train service in the heat was felt over the weekend on CTA trains.
Commuters on Monday reported issues on the Blue Line around the Racine and Halsted stops.
The CTA delays continued into Tuesday on the Purple Line. The CTA reported that delays were because of a staffing shortage. Riders were encouraged to allow extra travel time.
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