NEWS

from the Illinois Senate

State Senator Susan Garrett

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 7, 2008

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Susan Garrett (847) 433-2002

Early Suburban Commuter Train Funded for Second Year

HIGHWOOD, IL— State Senator Susan Garrett (D – Lake Forest) is pleased to announce that for a second year the early morning reverse commute train (Sunrise Express), from Chicago to Waukegan, will be funded through a combination of the Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) and a grant provided by the Regional Transit Authority (RTA).

The “Sunrise Express” leaves Waukegan at 4:20 AM and arrives in Chicago at 5:23 AM. It then departs Chicago at 5:40 AM and arrives in Waukegan at 6:48 AM. Some of the stops along the way include Evanston, Highland Park, and Lake Forest. The train allows for those commuters, who are commuting from the Chicago area to Lake County, to be able to arrive at their place of employment by 7 AM. The “Sunrise Express” is an affordable and convenient option for those traveling to work.

“Now, more than ever, given the Edens resurfacing project that is greatly encumbering road traffic, the early morning reverse commute train provides an extremely attractive option for those who have access to Metra’s Union Pacific North line,” commented Metra’s Executive Director Phil Pagano.

This service is an important option for commuters because of the inconvenience of road construction and the dramatic increase of gas. Gas prices have increased nearly 33% in the past year from June 2007, when gas was averaging a little over $3.00 per gallon, to June 2008, when the cost gas was averaging over $4.00 per gallon. The train helps commuters allay some of the burden caused by high gas prices.

“The funds will be extremely helpful in continuing the crucial daily service the “Sunrise Express” provides, especially with the high cost of gas and the ongoing road construction throughout northern Illinois,” Garrett said.

The “Sunrise Express” has seen substantial growth and success since its commencement last year. When the “Sunrise Express” began operating, there were approximately 70 commuters daily. Now, the service is averaging a daily ridership of nearly 275 passengers, nearly quadrupling in a single year.
“In the past 20 years, we have seen a dramatic shift, with employees living in the City of Chicago and traveling north to the suburbs where many corporate centers are located,” commented State Senator Susan Garrett (D – Lake Forest). “The Sunrise Express continues to resolve the increasing reverse commute dilemma and the problem of high gas prices,” she added.