Metra: Cold Shouldn't Have Significant Impact On Thursday Morning Rush
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Metra officials said commuters can expect a good rush hour Thursday morning, despite subzero temperatures and wind chills as low as 30 below zero.
Chief Operations Officer Pete Zwolfer said snow presents more of a problem than cold, although the arctic temperatures might slow things down a bit.
"People tend to, while they're waiting for the train, stay inside either their car until the last second, and/or the nice warm station. They don't want to be standing out in those subzero temperatures, so the dwell times at the stations are going to increase, which may slow down the trains a little bit," he said
Zwolfer said subzero weather also means trains are limited to 65 miles an hour, so trip times might increase a little on some lines.
Generally, however, Metra should have a very good morning rush on Thursday.
"Looking at the crystal ball, without the snow, I expect to have a very good rush hour," he said.
To make sure of that, Metra will keep its diesel engines warm and idling before their runs start, and crews will work longer hours to handle any mechanical equipment that might be affected by the cold.