(01-10-2023 07:53 AM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote: Study is being considered right now. Can only help Dekalb/NIU growth. Fingers crossed, would definitely help sell the "Chicago-area University" vibe if we were connected directly by rail again.
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/metra-...-to-dekalb
...if you watch the video it states that the Dekalb board voted unanimously to green-light the study. Glad there is strong support.
Maybe a game-day free shuttle from the train station to the stadium (free Mimosas handed out by Victor E.?)?
This probably helps more with people who work (either in DeKalb and coming from the east or the other direction) and with students (but might also be an easier way out of town on Fridays...)
As for gamedays, I don't see how this helps. Metra is nice but the biggest drawback is it's schedule (but also maybe its strength as well). I've come to avoid using Metra because it's schedule dictates my schedule.
Trains, especially on the weekend, run on 2 hour intervals so if the game ends at some odd time and you aren't able to get to the station (which I'm sure is no where close to Huskie Stadium or the Convo), then you have to wait two hours for the next train. And if it's late at night, you might have missed the last train.
Metra, to me, is a work commuter train or for people heading into Chicago on the weekend with a flexible schedule. Trying to use it to get to Huskie Stadium, for me, would be at best a one time deal and then I'd decide real quick its too much of a hassle.
But for the school and local business and/or commuters. It's a great development. It also puts DeKalb in the zone as a realistic place to live if you commute to Chicago for work. So, again, thats great.
I just don't see how it helps for any kind of sporting event at NIU.