The agreement includes a five-year term, which began April 1, 2026, with a five-year automatic extension unless either party elects to terminate the agreement. Commuter rail service runs on the BNSF-operated line—the historic Chicago, Burlington & Quincy line to Aurora—with BNSF crews seven days per week. The BNSF-Metra partnership dates to Metra’s creation in 1983.
“BNSF is proud to continue our long-standing partnership with Metra through this new agreement, which strengthens a relationship built over decades of collaboration,” BNSF Assistant Vice President of Passenger Operations Jim Tylick said. “Just as our freight network keeps goods moving across the country, we believe passenger rail plays a vital role in keeping people connected to the places and opportunities that matter most. We’re excited to continue shaping the future together with Metra through sustainable transportation solutions.”
“Metra and BNSF have been collaborative partners for decades, working together to make sure residents of communities along the line are well-served with safe, reliable, fast, and affordable service,” Metra Executive Director/CEO Jim Derwinski said. “We are happy to lock in our working relationship with this fair agreement for another decade and look forward to continuing to deliver for BNSF riders.”
Metra has 11 lines, including the one operated by BNSF, which is said to be its busiest (see map, below). Approximately 39% of its annual ridership (13.7 million out of a total 35 million passengers) is associated with the three lines owned, used and dispatched by Union Pacific (the UP North, Northwest, and West). Those lines were once operated by the Chicago & North Western Railway: the West Line to Elburn, the Northwest Line to Harvard and McHenry, and the North Line to Waukegan, with limited service to Kenosha. UP has historically provided service for Metra under a PSA (Purchase of Service Agreement), which has been extended several times. The two railroads have been negotiating the transfer of commuter rail services on the lines for several years; negotiations continue on a Trackage Rights Agreement to govern Metra’s use of the UP lines.
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