Eric Ginnard file photo eginnard@shawmedia.com

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Metra is adding express trains in response to growing ridership and expectations of riders returning to its Rock Island Line.

The new express services are set to begin Monday, according to a news release.

On the Rock Island Line, Metra will add two inbound and two outbound express trains to its weekday schedule. The lines travels through Joliet, New Lenox and Mokena to the LaSalle Street stop in Chicago.

Metra CEO and Executive Director Jim Derwinski said in the release that the disruption in commuter travel brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic gave the agency an opportunity to rethink its schedules.

This means looking for opportunities to provide new express services or change stopping patterns to better meet demand, Derwinski said in the release. Its our hope that these changes as well as other changes weve made to respond to the pandemic will provide a level of confidence and convenience that bring riders to our trains.

Metra has worked to make riding safer amid the pandemic. The agency is asking its passengers to practice physical distancing, wear a face covering, and not crowd the aisle or vestibules.

For more information and a complete schedule, visit metrarail.com.

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Metra to add express service to Rock Island line - The Herald-News