The U.S. Surface Transportation Board has rejected a proposal by Metra to have the federal regulator resolve a dispute between the Chicagoland commuter operator and Union Pacific once and for all — at least for now. 

Metra assumed operating responsibilities on UP’s three Chicago-area commuter lines a year ago, but neither side has been able to agree on a price for what the commuter agency will pay for track access. Late last year, Metra went before the STB to ask if the federal regulator would negotiate and force an agreement between the two railroads. But in a March 13 decision, the STB said it was too early for such action. Instead, it told Metra and UP to keep trying for another two months. Only then would the agency consider stepping into the fray. 

UP had operated the lines to Waukegan, Harvard/McHenry and Elburn since 1995, when it assumed control of the Chicago & North Western. With the Metra takeover in 2025, only the BNSF Line service is directly operated by a freight railroad. 

—Justin Franz