Chicago’s South Shore Neighborhoods Boom with Development & Enhancements of the Metra Electric Line
Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood is a vibrant and rapidly changing community. Newly opened grocery store, Local Market, has transformed a ghost town strip mall on 71st street and Jeffery. The spread of coffee shops like South Shore Brew have helped maintain the strong resident base. In short, South Shore is booming. Lakeshore Drive, the Lakefront bike path, as well as the South Shore Metra Line are all heavily utilized routes in connecting this area to Downtown Chicago which is key to community growth. With the ease of commute, South Shore is turning back into a core neighborhood of the city.
These neighborhoods have always had a strong influence of working-class residents, however, that is rapidly coming to a change. With the accessibility of transportation just steps from their door, residents can evolve professionally. An obvious example is the Metra electric line. This electric railroad system is comprised of commuter cars connecting South, West, and Northern counties to downtown Chicago. Providing service to 290,000 passengers daily, the Metra continues to grow with up to date train schedules that passengers can access via phone.
The Metra Electric Line extends southeast along the coast of Lake Michigan to South Shore. This additional Line is known as the South Chicago Branch and is comprised of seven stations which service nearly 10 surrounding neighborhoods. This ease of transportation has helped individuals grow professionally in their careers, causing a change in the neighborhood income demographic. South Shore Brew coffee shop is located just off the South Shore station proving that this railroad is a constant means of transportation. This steady drive opens the doors to more progress of the neighborhoods that are Chicago’s South Sh
In a recent study of Metra ridership, 90% of Metra trips are made commuting to work. Also included in this study, one person with a 20-mile round-trip commute who switches from driving a car to taking public transit can reduce his or her carbon emissions by 20 pounds a day or more than 4,800 pounds a year. It is known that taking public transportation provides personal mobility and freedom for all, including people with disabilities.
In a surprise measure to increase ridership and promote usage, Metra decided not to raise ticket prices but instead reallocate funding from other departments. In a 2018 article pertaining the company’s budget, Metra Board members
“Agreed that a fare increase for capital needs in 2019 would burden customers after four fare increases in a row while providing only a fraction of the needed revenue.”
Four years in a row, Metra has increased fares which has had a direct impact on its riders. However, in order to accommodate the residents of the stations, the prices needed to stay low. Its beautification projects, the increase of service and price freeze will help the South Shore Communities.
Consistent reinvestment and development of the Metra has retained ridership and increased surrounding neighborhoods. This is made possible by Metra’s, Community Enhancement Program.
According to the Metra Board, "By using art and landscape projects, Metra seeks to Foster a sense of pride & ownership for riders and surrounding neighborhoods.”
This is a truly inspiring idea with a fantastic use of money to showcase the investment into these neighborhoods that have had decades of hardship and lack of capital. This program proves to add value to the residents and future of the South Side of Chicago.
