The free ride is over: ticket checks at Ogilvie will start Monday.

If you’ve been getting something for nothing on Metra the last six months, that’s potentially changing for you.

The three commuter lines that run in and out of Ogilvie Transportation Center will start collecting fares at that station starting Monday (October 5th).  In addition, riders will be asked to show a valid ticket getting on or off trains at the downtown Chicago terminus.

It’s important to note, however, that all of the changes are happening at Ogilvie.  Conductors still will not collect fares on board trains.  And as you can read in this article from The Woodstock Independent, there’s some unanswered questions and confusion between the Union Pacific (who owns the tracks) and Metra (who operates the trains).  — [eric]

[📷 : Ken Ozuna on Unsplash]