Metra recently proposed a plan that will impact residents in Hyde Park. On May 24, the commuter rail announced changes to its Metra Electric Line that would increase service to every 20 minutes or less between Millennium Station and the three Hyde Park stations until 7 p.m. on weekdays.

While ridership on the Metra Electric Line declined 14 percent over the past six years, ridership at the Hyde Park stations increased 7.6 percent. Those three stations would be served by 18 inbound trains, up from as few as nine trains, during the midday period between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Wait times going inbound to downtown and outbound to Hyde Park would decrease from up to 60 minutes to about 20 minutes.

Commuters would also see an additional morning train between the 5:48 a.m. and 6:40 a.m. inbound train that leaves from University Park. A 6:12 a.m. train out of University Park would be added.

Stations at 75th Street and 111th Street would also see an improved six inbound and outbound trains during the afternoon arriving every hour. This is up from the current three trains that arrive every two hours.

However, some lightly used trains would be eliminated. According to Metra, some Blue Island Branch and South Chicago Branch trains that carry only one to two passengers per day would be eliminated.

“We need to do something to stem the loss of ridership on the Metra Electric Line, which has been declining for years despite the fact that the line has the newest cars and most scheduled trains on our system,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno in a statement. “This new schedule is an effort to make the best use of our existing resources by scheduling our trains in a more efficient way and enhancing service without impacting our budget.”

Metra will be hosting community meetings between June 19 and June 22 in South Shore, Flossmoor, Blue Island, and Hyde Park. Comments and feedback will be accepted before the final schedule is determined. Officials hope to have a new train schedule in place later this summer.