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​Fall 2017 - Illinois Institute of Technology - Chicago, IL

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College students are not taking Chicago's Metra rail because prices are not affordable, stations are in an inconvenient location in relation to campus, and the safety of students is compromised as they walk further away from campus. Ridership can increase by improving the user experience and lowering fares for college students. A statistic guiding our project's research is that Chicago's 23 colleges and universities employ and teach more than 10% of Chicago's population. 

 

Our project suggests multiple accommodations and amenities Metra can make and add both at a company level and through partnerships with other transportation companies such as CTA and Uber/Lyft. If Metra focuses on the increase of college student ridership, the changes they make will not only affect the students, but the company and its other users at large (tourists, business people, shoppers, etc.). Ultimately, Metra has the potential to help Chicago's environment and its people by reducing carbon emissions and encouraging healthier lifestyles through the use of public transport, as well as decrease its $45 million deficit while supporting the Chicago economy. Metra can easily become an urban rail that stands out in comparison to other urban rails both across the country and worldwide. 

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• Worked with an interdisciplinary group of three other undergraduates in Inter-Professional Project class

• Conducted interviews with IIT students and analyzed customer satisfaction and statistics for Chicago’s Metra rail

• Performed a comparative analysis with east coast commuter rails, as well as an impact analysis for Metra

• Presented ideas and plans for how Metra can increase ridership and enhance the commuter experience

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Please see the final booklet summarizing my group's work over the semester below:

*Note: Scroll left/right on each page to see full book*