Chicago South Shore Line Improvement: South Shore ‘double track' to streamline commute times

The South Shore train line has a long history of taking commuters from downtown Chicago and into Northwest Indiana, but it’ll do so even faster thanks to improvements officially unveiled Monday. Mary Ann Ahern has the story.

[@CityLifeinAmerica]

More of this America! MORE OF THIS!

[@yeoldeseawitch]

america chose cars as its mode of transport. and if the distance is too far take a plane. Dont like it move to somewhere else. But we recognize the vile sardine packed machines that trains are and we chose to go against it. If you ride the train YOU ARE ANTI AMERICAN

[@HIDLad001]

As far as electrification, everyone should be taking notes from RTD, NICTD, and CalTrain. In the coming decades, climate change is going to be even more of a concern and electrification will be a huge priority.

[@jreid2171]

80 years behind America better lately than never it's a modest first step

[@CityLifeinAmerica]

@@jreid2171 to be fair there’s Acela, Brightline, Amtrak Aero train sets etc. Not really 80 years behind but still behind nonetheless.

[@thetrainguy1]

30mins is a huge improvement!

[@yeoldeseawitch]

yeah but you'll spend more time waiting at the platform for a train. America needs to realize that its not the early 20th century anymore and trains just aren't a good investment in a world where cars control how we move. and if you want to go farther, buy an airline ticket

[@versedbridge4007]

@@yeoldeseawitch Sounds like an operational issue.. Maybe run more trains like how a decent operator would? And if better signaling or more rolling stock is needed, buy more?

[@yeoldeseawitch]

@@versedbridge4007 again, why do that when more people buy a car anyway? Youd be upgrading all this infrastructure for to fight a losing battle against the American automotive industry its futile. Just drive a car its really that simple

[@karegnal]

​@@yeoldeseawitchYes, the world has developed since the early 20th century. But one country is struggling to overcome the 1970s views on transport. That's at least what you are saying. You're welcome to visit 21st century Europe and use its public transport. You'll be surprised 😉

[@yeoldeseawitch]

@@karegnal europe is better suited to public transportation because all its cities are tightly packed together. the only place in america where fast rail service makes sense is in the northeast corridor. otherwise take a plane.

[@DelayInBlockProductions]

This is great news for northwest Indiana and Chicagoland. It’s sad the street running had to go but good for the people of this region.

[@Sacto1654]

Getting rid of street running was actually a *GOOD* thing. It means trains can travel a lot faster en route.

[@thomasaly7624]

It is completely better, but street running does have a cool vintage aesthetic that's popular for rail fanning

[@8avexp]

I still remember when the old Big Orange cars came all the way to downtown South Bend.

[@Phantom1963]

Heartbreaking over the loss of street running, it was such a nostalgic part of the charm of my beloved MC.❤

[@Society2day]

30mins WOW vary nice.

[@MAL1GNANT]

Bilevel EMU is wild 😭

[@MrMarshmallow26]

Metra? Soon NJT?

[@MAL1GNANT]

@@MrMarshmallow26 Oh! We already have those here in New Jersey. They look quite pleasant. I should have stated that I only said that because theirs look... odd. They just look uncanny due to looking aged and having no locomotive. While it makes sense for there to be no locomotive with an EMU, it doesn't lessen the goofiness.​

[@MrMarshmallow26]

@@MAL1GNANT idk I got used to them, they’re just Highliner II’s like Metra on that one electrified line. They look pretty cool.

[@MAL1GNANT]

@@MrMarshmallow26 Of course they look cool... with a locomotive. It once again just seems uncanny to look at 2 old bilevel EMUs with no locomotives. Or rather, it's just my opinion. Not knocking your opinion.

[@mrmaniac3]

It's a wild sight but it's ballin

[@Phantom1963]

Love You Governor Holcomb..... Look out Chicago 😊!!!!! Hoosiers are on the way 😊!!!! Seriously though.... I love 😊😊😊 You Chicago and will continue my regular visits ❤

[@benjaminvanvliet3385]

a map would be worth 1000 words

[@leehaber]

That is the clunkiest EMU I have ever seen.

[@Mergatroid]

Surprisingly functional and accessible, but a VERY dated design

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

​@@Mergatroid It's actually was in 2006

[@mic1240]

The last interurban in the US, century+ old

[@godozo]

The thirty minute savings is from Michigan City, with smaller savings from places between there and Gary Metro (downtown Gary). Still, that and the ability to increase service levels will be a major help - especially since you won't have to worry about juggling two directions on a single track over most of the route (there will be issues at some of the stations because they didn't do a full buildout of the stations, but that can be worked around for now).

[@marinhopaais426]

Fantastic to see this investment!

[@carstarsarstenstesenn]

Great news 👍

[@truthteller8459]

The BEST way to improve Indiana is to get rid of the city of Gary

[@johnweber6612]

alot of propaganda about saving 30 minutes, I doubt it

[@bigpapilocstaaa2166]

none of the trains have been on time. biggest load of horseshit ever spoken

[@kevinhoward9593]

$650 Million to shave 30 minutes. wow. plus the service has been running for weeks.

[@jacobwiens659]

30 minutes, every day, for every rider. Plus the savings from people who will switch from cars (less road maintenance, higher energy efficiency) and the potential for transit-oriented development. Over the long term, it will be well worth it.