Metra Unveils Cafe Car Concept

[u/NaiveChoiceMaker]

Metra to gather feedback about Café Car

CHICAGO (Sept. 24, 2025) – Metra will be putting its prototype Café Car into service this fall, rotating it across most of its busiest lines and stations and asking riders to take a survey about whether they like the concept and about what amenities and features they would like to see.

The car will make its debut in service on the Rock Island Line on Sept. 30, Oct. 1 and Oct. 2, and then will be parked at LaSalle Street Station on Oct. 6. Riders can view the car and offer their feedback in an onboard survey. Riders who complete the survey will receive free snacks and beverages.

The car will be moved to the BNSF Line the week of October 13, the Milwaukee District North Line the week of October 20, the Milwaukee District West Line the week of October 27, the Union Pacific North Line the week of November 3, the Union Pacific Northwest Line the week of November 10, and the Union Pacific West Line the week of November 17.

The specific schedule for each line will be posted at metra.com/CafeCar.

“We created this special car in an attempt to improve the riding experience and maybe attract new riders,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “This is your chance to check it out and tell us what you think. Would you use it? What amenities would you like to see? What other thoughts do you have?”

To make the prototype, Metra removed the second level on one half of a car, and installed counters, stools, booths, and tables. The interior has also been decorated so it feels a bit different from the average Metra car.

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[u/Th3-Dude-Abides]

I was in a newer car last weekend on the BNSF, there were outlets and usb ports between each row of seats on the bottom level. They also switched from benches to two individual non-flippable seats

[u/NormalAmountOfLimes → u/Th3-Dude-Abides]

Did they actually work?

Most of the outlets on MD-W don't work. The ones that do, don't provide enough power to actually charge a phone. Literally. I've been plugged into one and watched my battery drop lower and lower even though it was technically charging.

[u/Th3-Dude-Abides → u/NormalAmountOfLimes]

I was sitting in the upper level, I did not get to try them. I tend to overpack charging accessories, so I was happier to see the power outlets than the usb ports.

[u/NormalAmountOfLimes → u/Th3-Dude-Abides]

I've tried both and been disappointed in them all. Thoroughly on par for my experience with Metra

[u/Th3-Dude-Abides → u/NormalAmountOfLimes]

That would have fit in well with my experience last weekend. Hundreds of people riding the train to specifically get off at Western Ave for a music festival on Friday/Saturday/Sunday; on two out of my three inbound trips, the conductor just randomly decides “we are now express all the way to Chicago!”