What is metras?

Metras is a commuter rail system in the Chicago metropolitan area. It was founded in 1984 and serves six counties in northeastern Illinois, including Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will. The system operates over 11 different lines and covers a distance of over 490 miles with 242 stations. Metras is one of the busiest commuter rail systems in the United States with over 300,000 daily riders. The fares are based on zones and peak vs. off-peak travel times. The system is operated by the Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation (NIRC), also known as Metra.