Union Pacific Railroad regional Vice President David Connell, addressed the Metra board Friday morning January 17, 2014 and apologized for poor railroad performance on Monday, Jan. 6, when Metra riders were left stranded at the Clybourn stop in subzero temperatures. Monday morning weather on January 6, 2014 brought a new record low of -16 degrees to Chicago.
Metra board member and former Arlington Heights Mayor Arlene Mulder chastized the UP.
“I could not believe such a decision could come from an organization such as yours. To put people at risk in those temperatures is just unbelievable … That is a big black mark.”
— Arlene Mulder
The cold weather froze railroad track switches and caused railroad gates to malfunction in several areas. On Saturday, January 4, 2014, railroad gates were stuck in the down position from about 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in downtown Arlington Heights. Evergreen Avenue, Dunton Avenue and Vail Avenue were blocked while Arlington Heights Road remained open. Remarkably many motorist just sat there for several minutes even while the Union Pacific railroad workers were on the scene working on the problem. No temporary signs were placed to alert motorists of the prolonged train gate closures and to inform motorists of any possible alternatives.
Many residents complained that the gates are frequently stuck in the down position for prolonged periods, and that the gates also go down for short time periods when no trains or maintenance vehicles are in the area. Residents and business owners report that the inconvenience and traffic jams disrupt businesses and passage from one side of the village to the other side of the village.
Tweets …
That's it… Next month In switching back to cta, it my be smelly but at least it works #doyourdamnjob #MetraSucks
— Adil (@adilashiqali) January 16, 2014
West line trains have been running like crap. Get it together Metra! #metrasucks
— cyndi carroll (@cyndicarroll) January 13, 2014
Culture shock in returning to @Metra after using the @TfLOfficial Underground and @MetroParis. #MetraSucks
— Joe H (@joe_hufford) January 13, 2014
RT @jimmytheprice: Why is it that the #bnsf is the most unreliable line in the #metra system? The way to really fly? Yeah right #metrasucks
— Angry Metra Tweets (@MetraFail) January 10, 2014
Also they were filming for WGN and I walked in the back and said "METRA SUCKS" loudly
— Arianna (@thehummusgirl) January 9, 2014
Metra is the modern Oregon Trail w/ major delays, break downs & no clue if we'll actually make it. Sucks we don't get to hunt bison though.
— On The Metra (@OnTheMetra) January 9, 2014
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