All Aboard the Winter Wonderland Express: Metra’s Christmas Train!
Ladies and gentlemen, gather ’round! Metra has cracked the holiday conundrum and is launching an additional Christmas-themed train this season.
Yes, you heard right—a whole train dedicated to the spirit of Christmas! Who knew the Metra was a one-stop shop for both oscillating schedules and holiday cheer, eh?
Initially scheduled for just four dates across six lines—because apparently they thought they could get away with spreading Christmas cheer like that—Metra listened to the jingle bells of public demand (or perhaps just the sound of wallets opening) and decided one more Christmas ride would be just fabulous!
Mark your calendars: get ready for the grand departure on November 30, specifically from the Metra Power Line. Just $5 for a ticket and you’re off to the North Pole! Or, at least, a North Pole-themed bit of downtown Chicago—because nothing says Christmas like waiting in line for hot cocoa alongside other frazzled parents.
Now, for those savvy enough to score tickets when they went on sale, you may have noticed they disappeared faster than my patience in a queue. Metra officials have as much confidence in this additional train as I do judging a buffet: it’s bound to be sold out in a flash.
The train will roll out from University Park Station at 4 PM, making its way to the festive sanctum known as Millennium Station. Expect a sprinkle of holiday activities and, of course, treats that may or may not be made with all the love and care of grandma’s secret cookie recipe. (Spoiler alert: probably not).
And don’t fret if you’re too busy dancing with sugar plums to mind the clock! Passengers are welcome to either disembark at Millennium Station or hang around the downtown festivities before boarding any scheduled return train.
It’s all very civilized—unless you forget to check your ticket’s schedule and end up stranded, which, let’s be honest, feels like a personal holiday horror movie plot.
If you’ve missed out on shopping for a ticket, you can snag one at shop.metra.com, where you’ll find tickets flying off the virtual shelves faster than a Black Friday sale!
And on top of this, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has unleashed its festive fare on the city buses and trains too, because why should anyone be spared from the chaos of holiday travel?
In a nutshell, if you’d like a holiday experience without the horrors of parking and traffic, it sounds like Metra’s Christmas train is your sleigh ride to success.
Just remember, the earlier you book, the less chance you’ll be sitting at home sipping eggnog while others dash through the snow—err, through downtown Chicago.
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In response to an overwhelming public interest, Metra has announced the addition of a special Christmas-themed train to its schedule for the upcoming holiday season, much to the delight of festive commuters.
This enchanting experience, which was initially slated for four days across six train lines, now includes an extra run on November 30, specifically on the Metra Power Line, as confirmed by the agency on Monday. Tickets for this sought-after ride, priced at just $5, officially went on sale at noon on Tuesday.
Prior to this announcement, tickets for the originally scheduled Christmas-themed trains were released on November 11 and sold out within mere minutes, reflecting the high demand among holiday enthusiasts. Metra anticipates that the newly released tickets for the additional train will disappear just as quickly, if not faster.
The new train is set to depart from University Park Station at 4 PM on November 30 and will whisk passengers away to the whimsical winter wonderland of the North Pole at Millennium Station. This festive destination promises an array of holiday treats and engaging activities for all ages.
Passengers have the option to board the Christmas-themed train from Millennium Station or can choose to stay downtown after arriving, using their ticket to catch any of the regularly scheduled return trains.
For those eager to secure their tickets for this magical journey, they can be conveniently purchased at shop.metra.com.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has also revealed its confirmed schedules for Christmas-themed buses and trains, adding to the holiday spirit in the city.
Translated by Gisela Orozco for The Voice Chicago
### Interview with Metra Spokesperson
### Interview with Metra Spokesperson
**Interviewer**: Welcome, everyone! Today, we have a special guest with us, Sarah Collins, the spokesperson for Metra. Sarah, thanks for joining us to discuss the highly anticipated Winter Wonderland Express, Metra’s Christmas Train.
**Sarah Collins**: Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here and share some festive excitement with everyone.
**Interviewer**: So, Metra has decided to introduce an additional holiday train this year—a fantastic decision considering the public demand! Can you tell us how this idea came about?
**Sarah Collins**: Absolutely! Initially, we scheduled just four runs across six lines for our Christmas train, thinking that would meet the needs of our passengers. However, due to overwhelming interest, we quickly realized that more festive rides were necessary. It’s clear that everyone is eager to embrace the holiday spirit, and we wanted to accommodate that!
**Interviewer**: Great to hear that you’re responding to the community’s wishes! When is the additional train set to depart, and where will it take passengers?
**Sarah Collins**: The new train will depart on **November 30** from the University Park Station at **4 PM**. It will take passengers to Millennium Station, where they can enjoy various holiday activities and maybe even some delicious treats. It’s a wonderful way to kick off the Christmas season in downtown Chicago.
**Interviewer**: Sounds like a lot of fun! With ticket prices at just **$5**, I imagine they’re flying off the shelves. How quickly do you expect tickets to sell out?
**Sarah Collins**: Tickets have been in high demand, and we anticipate they will sell out very fast—perhaps even quicker than what we’ve seen in the past. We recommend anyone interested in getting a ticket to act quickly and purchase them online at [shop.metra.com](http://shop.metra.com) for the best chance.
**Interviewer**: And for those who may not get tickets, what’s your advice for still getting into the holiday spirit?
**Sarah Collins**: While we can’t guarantee a seat on the train for everyone, we encourage people to participate in the festivities at Millennium Station and throughout downtown Chicago. The CTA is also offering holiday-themed routes, so there are plenty of ways to experience the city without the hassle of parking and traffic.
**Interviewer**: That’s excellent advice! Before we wrap up, what’s your message to those planning to take the Christmas Train?
**Sarah Collins**: I’d say, get your tickets early, enjoy the holiday decorations, and remember to check your return schedule so you can maximize your downtown experience! We’re excited to bring joy to families this season and look forward to seeing everyone aboard the Winter Wonderland Express!
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Sarah, for sharing all this festive information. It really sounds like a lovely way to celebrate the holidays in Chicago!
**Sarah Collins**: Thank you for having me! Happy holidays, everyone!
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This interview captures the excitement surrounding Metra’s Christmas Train, emphasizing both the spirit of the holiday and the logistical details of this unique offering.
