Chicago, IL – Metra is testing a new way to ride this fall with its first-ever Café Car, a redesigned railcar featuring café-style tables, booths, and counters for passengers to relax, connect, and enjoy their commute. The prototype is making limited runs across several suburban lines through mid-November.
According to Metra, the Café Car will rotate between routes including Rock Island (Sept. 30–Oct. 6), BNSF (Oct. 14–16), Milwaukee District North (Oct. 21–27), and Milwaukee District West (Oct. 27–30). The car will also visit the Union Pacific North, Northwest, and West lines through mid-November.
Commuters in Schaumburg and across Cook County can experience the car firsthand when it appears on the Milwaukee District West Line the week of Oct. 27. Riders completing an onboard survey will receive free snacks and drinks during rush hours, while supplies last.
Metra says the Café Car is fully ADA-accessible and part of a limited trial to gather passenger feedback before deciding whether to make the feature permanent.
For the full schedule and updates, visit metra.com/CafeCar.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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