Metra Adds Extra Trains For Chicago Air & Water Show

CHICAGO — Metra will add extra trains to accommodate passengers headed to the 66th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show Aug. 16 and 17.

With extra service, Regional Day Passes and Family Fares that allow children 11 and under to ride for free, Metra is the easiest and most economical way to enjoy the nation’s oldest and largest free-admission air and water exhibition.

The Chicago Air and Water Show presented by the City of Chicago is the largest free show of its kind in the United States. The show can be viewed along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach as the focal point.

“Families have been coming to the lakefront to enjoy the Air and Water Show for more than six decades. Metra’s convenient service and economical day passes are the perfect way to create family memories without the hassles and expense of driving and finding parking,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski.

Metra will provide extra trains on the Union Pacific North and Union Pacific West lines on both days of the nation’s largest free air and water show. On Sunday, Aug. 17, extra service will also be provided on the Union Pacific Northwest Line. On other Metra lines with weekend service, our weekend schedules provide multiple travel options. Full schedules for the extra service and regular service on each line are available at metra.com.

Metra offers a variety of ticket options. These include Day Passes, good for unlimited rides on weekdays between your selected Metra zones, $7 Saturday or Sunday Day Passes for unlimited travel on those days, and a $10 Weekend Pass (available for purchase only on the Ventra App) allowing unlimited travel across the Metra system on both Saturday and Sunday. Ventra App users can save even more money with the new Regional Day Pass option that allows Metra Day Pass buyers to add unlimited travel on CTA and Pace for an additional $2.50. Plus, under Metra's Family Fares program, up to three children 11 and under can ride free with each adult through Labor Day.

The CTA provides access to the lakefront from Metra’s downtown stations. Customers disembarking at Chicago Union Station or Millennium Station can board the CTA’s #151 bus to Oak Street and North Avenue beaches. The #151 bus also stops within walking distance of Ogilvie Transportation Center and LaSalle Street Station. CTA bus schedule and route information can be found at the CTA’s website, transitchicago.com.

Metra riders should also be advised that due to the expected increase in ridership on Aug. 16 and Aug. 17, Metra may not be able to accommodate bicycles onboard.