The holiday season is in full swing along the South Shore Line! Experience the magic of the season at some of the most anticipated events like the spectacular Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, the annual Chicago Tree Lighting Ceremony in Millennium Park and the traditional German Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza.
South Shore News
Project would add a second track between Gary and Michigan City
Chesterton, IN – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) based on its review of the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Double Track NWI (DT-NWI) Project.
South Shore Line to offer veterans & active duty military personnel free transportation Nov. 9 through Nov. 12, 2018
The South Shore Line will accommodate a potential increase in ridership due to the Garth Brooks concert taking place at 7p ET on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, at the University of Notre Dame Stadium.
In an effort to improve the SSL experience, we have made improvements to our mobile app. The South Shore mobile app update is now available for download for both iOS and Android.
Calling all Bank of America Chicago Marathon runners and observers: The South Shore Line invites you to leave your vehicle at one of our convenient stations in Indiana and take the South Shore Line to Chicago for all Bank of America Chicago Marathon events.
To further increase public awareness of rail safety, promote education, and enforce safety measures, the South Shore Line (SSL) will be participating in National Rail Safety Week September 24-28, 2018.
To further enhance security and safety efforts, the SSL has partnered with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s “If You See Something, Say Something®” Campaign, a national anti-terrorism campaign that raises public awareness of indicators of terrorism and terrorism-related crime, as well as the importance of reporting suspicious activity to state and local law enforcement.
To accommodate passengers attending Chicago Bears PRESEASON and REGULAR SEASON home games, the South Shore plans to stop select trains at 18th St. Station.
To accommodate passengers attending University of Notre Dame 2018 home games, the South Shore Line and Transpo will again offer FREE shuttle bus service between the South Bend International Airport and Notre Dame Stadium.
To show appreciation and to say thank you for their service to the community, the South Shore Line (SSL) is inviting all active-duty first responders to ride the train free of charge Sunday, Sept. 9, through Saturday, Sept. 15, on all off-peak weekday and weekend trains.
In 2018, the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) conducted a Rider Survey of its South Shore Line rail passengers.
To thank local educators for their hard work, SSL created Teacher Appreciation Week, where educators are invited to ride the SSL for free from July 23 - 29, on all off-peak weekday and all weekend trains. To ride, educators will need to present a valid school ID.
A fare increase approved by the NICTD Board on May 18, 2018, will take effect on Sunday, July 1, 2018.
The SSL will have 200 riders taking advantage of the Bikes on Trains program this weekend. They are participating in the 1st Annual Ride & Rail Tour!
The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) board has approved the proposed fare increase and it will take effect on July 1, 2018 for the South Shore Line rail passenger service, including July monthly tickets. The new fares would apply to all stations but Hegewisch. Metra controls Hegewisch fares and approved an increase effective February 1, 2018.
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Posted March 23, 2018
The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) held five public hearings in April 2018 to gather comment on a proposed across the board fare increase of 5% rounded to the nearest quarter ($0.25). If approved, the new fares would take effect on July 1, 2018 for the South Shore Line rail passenger service including July monthly tickets. The new fares would apply to all stations but Hegewisch. Metra controls Hegewisch fares and approved an increase effective February 1, 2018.
Accommodating Large Group Travel
Schools and other organizations have traditionally booked trips to Chicago utilizing the South Shore Line. Our access to museums and the Art Institute makes the railroad both convenient and affordable for group outings. These trips offer many passengers, perhaps for the first time, an opportunity to ride the train and learn firsthand about the benefits of public transportation.
Temporary busing to occur between Carroll Ave. and South Bend Airport stations April 23-27 and April 30-May 4, 2018.
The South Shore Line plans to periodically bus weekday (Monday-Friday) passengers between Carroll Ave. and the South Bend Airport while we upgrade our track and segments of overhead wire between Michigan City and South Bend.
The South Shore Line (SSL) announced on Friday, April 13, that it will be launching a new train tracker application. The train tracker, housed on the SSL website and app, will allow riders to track train locations in real time.
Calling all Cubs fans! Take the South Shore Line (SSL) to the next game.
The first hearing on the South Shore Line’s proposed fare increase attracted only one regular rider. The railroad’s executives expect more at later hearings.
At the South Shore Line (SSL), safety is our highest priority. To further enhance our safety efforts, The SSL will be implementing (along with all other passenger railroads in the US) Positive Train Control (PTC) technology across their entire network.
It’s that time of year again, when riding your bike to work is made possible with the South Shore Line’s (SSL) Bikes on Trains program! This program is offered on two morning and evening rush-hour weekday trains in addition to select weekend trains.
If the way to your heart is through your stomach then this foodie themed playcation is for you. Hop on the South Shore Line and head to Chicago where your family can take in the sights and sounds and grab some of our favorite family-friendly Chicago cuisine.
In partnership with both the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District and Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, the APRHF Rail Rangers provide onboard educational programs on the South Shore Line through Illinois and Indiana.
Are you an adventurer at heart? Let the South Shore Line be your ride to some heart pounding fun! And, with our kids ride free spring break promotion running from March 24-April 7 where up to 3 kids under 14 ride free on all South Shore Line trains, your adrenaline rush is more affordable than ever! Check out these adventures that are perfect for adrenaline junkies both young and old…
Spring Break can be a great time to combine fun with learning! Chicago has some of the best museums in the country and they are just a South Shore Line away! And, with our kids ride free spring break promotion running from March 24 - April 7 where up to 3 kids under 14 ride free on all South Shore Line trains, your getaway has never been more affordable. Knock several attractions out in one day or hit one per day to really maximize your play-cation fun.
07 Mar 2018
SSL Expands Kids Ride Free Program to Make Spring Break Play-cation Travel More Affordable.
With spring break right around the corner, the South Shore Line (SSL) is expanding its Kids Ride Free program for spring break to include 3 children under the age of 14 to ride free with a paying adult on ALL trains (not just off-peak and weekend) from March 24 – April 7, 2018.
Happy holidays from the South Shore Line! As a reminder, weekend/holiday train schedules will be in effect Dec. 23-25, Dec. 30-31, and Jan. 1.
Tis’ the season for free rides! To say Happy Holidays and to let riders know it has been a pleasure serving them throughout 2017, South Shore Line (SSL) has expanded its Kids Ride Free program to ALL trains and train times.
Metra’s Board of Directors approved an increase in Hegewisch fares scheduled to take effect on February 1, 2018, including February monthly tickets.
Experience the magic of the season at some of the most anticipated events along the South Shore Line from South Bend to Chicago. To ensure we provide the best experience possible to our riders this holiday season, we will be offering additional Eastbound trains and have made our holiday train and ticket office schedules available in advance. Please see the announcement below for more information.
In partnership with both the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District and Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, the APRHF Rail Rangers provide onboard educational programs on the South Shore Line through Illinois and Indiana.
Extra Eastbound Departures from Millennium Station – These extra trains will not serve Hudson Lake or South Bend
- Saturday, November 18 departing @8:00 p.m., and Van Buren St. @8:03 p.m. running non-stop to Hegewisch and making all local stops terminating in Michigan City.
- Wednesday, November 22 departing @2:00 p.m., and Van Buren St. @2:03 p.m. running non-stop to Hegewisch and making all local stops terminating in Michigan City.
- Saturday, November 25 departing @4:25 p.m., and Van Buren St. @ 4:28 p.m. running non-stop to Hegewisch and making all local stops terminating in Michigan City.
The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD), operator of the South Shore Line, today announced that they have filed applications with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) seeking project ratings for both the West Lake Corridor and South Shore Line’s Double Track projects. This infrastructure investment package totals over $977 million and represents the single largest investment in commuter rail in the South Shore’s history.
MERRILLVILLE — The Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority on Thursday committed $3 million annually to the South Shore Line's Double Track project, part of a $290 million effort to add a second set of tracks between Gary and Michigan City and to shift the tracks out of the center of the street in the latter community. The allocation constitutes Lake and Porter counties' share of the project. The annual payment would continue for 30 years, unless the project's bonds are retired earlier. LaPorte County has decided to pay its share of the project upfront, as allowed by legislation enacted at this year's Indiana General Assembly, with an $18.25 million contribution from the county and Michigan City.
LAPORTE — LaPorte County government is paying its entire share of the cost for the proposed upgrades to the South Shore commuter line with cash up front, and Michigan City's $12.1 million share received preliminary approval this week. The estimated $290 million project still hinges on the federal government approving funding for one-half the entire cost. The LaPorte County Council unanimously decided Tuesday to take $5 million out of the county's major bridge fund and the remaining $1.1 million from the county's emergency reserve fund to cover its portion of the expense.
01 Jun 2017
South Bend, St. Joseph County will commit millions for faster South Shore ride to Chicago
St. Joseph County and South Bend have averaged modest population growth each of the past four years, but they’ve trailed the state of Indiana’s growth rate, according to recently released Census Bureau estimates. City, county and business leaders say they have a prime opportunity to change that by double-tracking part of the South Shore Line, which would eliminate the need for the passenger line to wait for oncoming freight trains, and realigning the South Shore’s approach to South Bend International Airport. They say the work, when finished in 2020, will reduce the South Bend-to-Chicago trip from its current 2.5 hours to 90 minutes, and possibly down to 75 minutes on a special limited-stop trip each weekday morning and evening.
Commuters are the heart of its business, but the South Shore Line also likes to remind people that it offers more than rides to and from jobs in Chicago. "We're starting to increase our outreach to folks in South Bend and Chicago who want to spend some time in Northwest Indiana," said John Parsons, the railroad's vice president of planning and marketing. A free shuttle bus service between the South Shore's Miller station and the beaches in Gary's Miller section will begin on Saturday and continue on weekends through the summer. Also this summer, the railroad will promote Northwest Indiana as a camping destination for people from Chicago, and baseball fans can get half-price tickets to Gary South Shore RailCats home games.
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb traveled to Michigan City, Indiana to sign House Bill 1144, which establishes and permits the South Shore Line's main line double tracking and the West Lake Corridor improvement rail projects.
View the South Shore Line paintings for the 20th Anniversary of the "Just Around the Corner" South Shore Line posters at the Indiana Welcome Center, now through June 18.The Indiana Welcome Center is located at I-80/94 and Kennedy Avenue South in Hammond. Learn more at alongthesouthshore.com.
Story from NWI Times here.
The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) late last week unveiled modified station plans for the South Shore Line's West Lake Corridor project. The modifications include adding a layover facility at the future Hammond Gateway Station in Hammond, Ind. NICTD also moved the platform location and parking for the Munster Ridge Road Station in Munster, Ind.
MUNSTER — Gov. Eric Holcomb sees unlimited potential for business and residential growth in Northwest Indiana so long as leaders and communities continue working together. The Republican declared Thursday that no place in the state is as well positioned to attract the people and companies that are shaping the future, thanks to the Region's proximity to Chicago and its location in a state with low taxes and a low cost of living. "You're undoubtedly a powerhouse," Holcomb said. "I would love to bring 5 million Hoosiers up to the Region and show them the beaches, show them the scenery and show them how close to the world that their marketplace is."
PORTAGE — The biggest four-year transportation plan in Region history will be up for adoption next week by the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission. The commission's planning committee approved it Tuesday. The 2018-21 Transportation Improvement Program lists about 650 potential projects with a total estimated cost of almost $1.6 billion, NIRPC Transportation Projects Manager Gary Evers told the Technical Planning Committee. "This is the biggest TIP we've ever done. This is the big kahuna," Evers said.
INDIANAPOLIS — Gov. Eric Holcomb is eager to sign legislation funding the double-tracking of the South Shore Line between Gary and Michigan City. The Republican said Tuesday that he considers the $180 million Indiana will spend over the next 30 years to expand commuter rail service in the Region to be a vital investment in the state's future, as well as a top accomplishment of the 2017 General Assembly that adjourned Saturday. "This is not just about economic development, but equally importantly it's also about attracting talent from the nation's third biggest economy in Chicago and getting folks to move to this side of the border," Holcomb said.
The train that runs along the lakefront is not just for commuters. Of the 18 regular stops on the South Shore Line (NICTD) there are many destinations walking distance from the station. This series suggests trips worth the fare. Check out the link below for a slideshow of these excursions! To find out more how you can plan your SSL trip, click here.
CHESTERTON, Ind. – Now you can ride your bike to work from the train station! The South Shore Line’s (SSL) Bikes on Trains program is now being offered on two morning and evening rush-hour weekday trains in addition to select weekend trains. Bike cars will be available on select weekend/holiday and select weekday trains from April through October.
PORTAGE — The South Shore Line's major expansion projects are the subject of a Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission public comment period that will culminate with votes on adding the projects to the Region's official transportation planning documents.
MERRILLVILLE — The Regional Development Authority board of directors entered into contracts Thursday with the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District to fund ongoing engineering and environmental work on the West Lake Corridor and Double Track NWI projects.
Since the South Shore has discontinued the use of text messaging as a way to communicate information regarding service delays and other service announcements, we would like to offer a solution that will allow you to still receive these alerts in conjunction with your email. Find how by reading more:
Alcohol is not permitted on South Shore trains during the following events in Chicago:
Bikes on Trains starts back up on April 1, 2017! Check out our new Bike Brochure here for updated schedules. Now you can bike to work! We added two (2) EB and two (2) WB bikes trains during rush hour! Make sure to check out the train times in the brochure or below!
The South Shore Line is committed to providing our riders with clear, timely and accurate information on the status of our service. This includes letting you know when we don’t know the length of a delay or service disruption.
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana House overwhelmingly approved Thursday a first-of-its-kind plan for coordinated transit-oriented development near stations along the current and future routes of the South Shore Line.
House Bill 1144, which now goes to the Senate, puts the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority in charge of promoting and managing commercial and residential investment within Transit Development Districts, or TDD for short, centered on at least eight rail stops. State Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville, the sponsor, said allowing the RDA to use increment financing to develop areas within a mile of the stations will ensure the Region and state get the biggest possible bang for their bucks spent to double-track the South Shore between Gary and Michigan City and extend the commuter rail line from Hammond to Dyer.
It’s early days, but the effort to make the already-terrific South Shore Railroad even better is on the right track. A double track.
MUNSTER — The developers who bought one of the town's last available multi-lot pieces of land believe they got a good deal on property that will only become more valuable. The 15 acres in the West Lake Estates neighborhood borders the CSX freight railroad — and, if things go according to plan, in five years the South Shore Line's West Lake Corridor. As area residents get the chance at two public forums this week to voice their opinions on development around the West Lake Corridor's stations, the developers of the property in West Lake Estates see the train as a bonus.
CHESTERTON — The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District's Board of Trustees recently approved a five-year capital plan surpassing $1.1 billion in investment in the South Shore Line.
The list includes the West Lake Corridor and Double Track NWI projects, the rerouting of the railroad's approach to the South Bend International Airport, purchase of new rail cars and completion of a federally mandated safety project. "The face of this railroad will look significantly different when this five-year period is done," said South Shore President and General Manager Michael Noland.
DYER — In a 3-1 vote Tuesday, the Town Council gave the green light to a resolution approving the West Lake commuter rail project with specific recommendations. Voting for that resolution were Debbie Astor, R-5th Ward; Jeff Dekker, R-2nd Ward, and Mary Tanis, R-4th Ward. Cathy J. Lareau, R-3rd Ward, voted against this version. Joe Cinko, D-1st Ward, was absent. One of three resolutions drawn up regarding the West Lake Corridor project for the special meeting, the approved 2017-06-A Resolution featured the South Shore’s preferred option to extend the railroad 9 miles south from a new Gateway station in Hammond to Main Street on the Munster-Dyer border.
The State of Indiana will subsidize the South Shore commuter line by around $16 million this year, according to the 2017 business plan adopted by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District’s Board of Trustees at its meeting Friday morning. Trustees voted unanimously to approve that plan.
The proposed West Lake Corridor could do more than expand the South Shore Line's commuter service. Planners believe it also would prompt new development – including housing, shopping and leisure -- around the four proposed rail stations on West Lake's route from Hammond to Dyer.
One of the most common arguments I hear against extending commuter rail service in Northwest Indiana is that if it hasn’t helped the northern tier communities along the existing route, so it won’t help those along the new route. I can’t disagree more with this reasoning. Northwest Indiana is something of an anomaly when it comes to commuter rail service. All it takes to see this is to look at the entire Chicago metro area, not just our sliver of it.The rail lines in Illinois snake out into thriving suburbs. Take a trip to Naperville if you want a good example of what can come from investing in commuter rail service. Naperville is about 30 miles from Chicago. Metra serves Naperville through the Burlington Northern Santa Fe route. The city has two train stations.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A state lawmaker is pushing for transit-oriented development projects in northwest Indiana. Rep. Hal Slager, a Republican from Schererville, is sponsoring a bill that would create a Sales Tax Increment Financing district within a half-mile of the tracks of the current South Shore rail.
January 12, 2017
To Our Valued Riders:
I would like to begin by extending my sincerest apology to everyone that was affected by today’s service disruption.
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The NICTD Board unanimously approved a resolution today endorsing the Hammond Alternative Option 2 as the staff recommended Locally Preferred Alternative subject to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) public review period commencing on December 16, 2016 and ending on February 3, 2017. To review the DEIS or to learn more about the comment process visit the West Lake Project website at http://www.nictdwestlake.com/index.html
15 Dec 2016
WEST LAKE CORRIDOR PROJECT DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT AND SCHEDULES FOR THREE PUBLIC HEARINGS
The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) as project sponsor to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and Section 4 (f) Evaluation pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act for the West Lake Corridor Project.
The DEIS evaluated an extension of the South Shore Line between the Munster/Dyer area and Metra’s Millennium Station in Downtown Chicago. The DEIS documents the benefits and impacts of the alternatives considered and is available on the Project website www.nictdwestlake.com for public comment and review, from December 16, 2016 to February 3, 2017.
Certain changes had to be made with regard to the radio frequency used for our free on board WiFi.
You can find the full NICTD Strategic Business Plan here.