Metra Metropolitan Rail

This is a decent Metra station that will take you to Ogilvie station downtown. The train usually arrives on time and there’s a marquee that will let you know how soon to expect the train.
The biggest downside is that the interior is only open for very short hours, so make sure to bring cash. You’re most likely going to have to pay on the train. In the colder months, you won’t be able to hide inside for shelter and you’ll have to tough it out on the platform.
Parking is also a little hard to find because everything around has time maximums. I recommend getting here a few minutes early if it’s your first time at this station so you don’t miss your train.

Metra, the way to really fly…

The Wheaton Metra station is A-​OK in my book. I wish I could figure out the parking situation for people without permits and the need to park all day long, but on good weather days I take my bicycle down here anyhow. Lots of room to lock up, at least when I get there by 8ish latest. There’s a rack right across the rails from the station, as well as the corner a block west toward downtown.
Also the occasional political gatherings are offputting … something about a school board vote or tax vote recently, no less than 3 people got in my face to tell me about it. I live in unincorporated Carol Stream, I pay double for everything, I don’t need the irritation of irrelevant politics as well. In fact I’m surprised people are allowed to do this sort of thing at the station.

I took the Metra from the downtown Wheaton station for a little over six months. During that time I didn’t really have many problems. The interior of the waiting area was clean for the most part (as much as can be when you have people coming in and out during rush hour. I did have an issue with the individual at the ticket window when I went to write a check that was issued by a financial institution that operates out-​of-​state despite the fact there were no signs posted that I couldn’t do that. However, I don’t see that as a reflection of the station itself more as a reflection of the policies put into place and enforced by Union Pacific Railroad.
I always did want to try something from the coffee place that resides in the station’s interior however that didn’t happen. Oh well.
All in all, a very nice station and one that I wouldn’t mind riding out of again.