Metra Times Support

Help, answers, and how to reach us

Metra Times is a fast, glanceable departure board for Metra commuter trains. This page answers common questions and tells you how to get help.

Frequently asked questions

How do I set up my board?

On the Schedule tab, pick a line and a from/to station pair, then tap Add to board. Add as many trips as you ride. Use Edit on the Board tab to reorder or remove them. Your board is saved on your device, and each card shows its next departures with live status.

Why does one card show two different lines?

Because both of them get you there. A few station pairs are served by more than one Metra line: Chicago OTC to Clybourn runs on UP-N and UP-NW, and Chicago Union Station to Western Ave runs on MD-N, MD-W and NCS. A saved trip is a journey rather than a single line, so its card shows every line that runs it, merged in time order, with each row labelled. The next departure really is the next train, whichever line it happens to be on. There is nothing to turn on, and it applies to trips you saved before.

What are the four tabs?

Board is your saved departures. Schedule browses the full timetable for any line, station pair and date. Map shows the whole Metra network, where tapping a station gives its next departures. Alerts lists Metra service advisories, filtered to your lines by default.

Why don't I see a platform or track number?

Metra's public schedule feed does not include platform or track assignments, so the app cannot show them. Check the station signage or Metra's announcements for the boarding track.

Are the times live?

The app shows the official Metra timetable and, where available, real-time delay status. Live status depends on Metra's real-time feed. When it isn't available, scheduled times are shown.

A time or delay looks wrong.

Schedule and real-time information come directly from Metra's public data feeds, and the app reflects what those feeds publish. If something looks off, email us the line, station and time and we'll investigate.

Can I see my next train on the Home Screen?

Yes. Touch and hold an empty part of your Home Screen, tap Edit, then Add Widget, and search for Metra Times. There are two sizes: the small one shows your next departure and the one after it, and the medium one lists several more with each row labelled by line.

The widget shows a journey you have already saved on your board, so add one first if your board is empty. It picks your first saved journey by default. To choose a different one, touch and hold the widget and tap Edit Widget.

Does the widget work without a signal?

Yes. The widget reads the timetable the app has already downloaded, so it keeps showing your departures with no connection. It shows scheduled times rather than live delays, because iOS only wakes a widget a limited number of times a day and a delay that old would be more misleading than useful. Open the app for live status. If the app has not been opened in a long time the widget will say its times need a refresh, rather than showing times it cannot stand behind.

My widget says to open the app.

That appears when the widget has nothing current to show: usually because the app has not been opened since you installed the update, or because its saved times have aged. Open Metra Times once and the widget fills in. If it says a journey is no longer on your board, that trip was removed; touch and hold the widget and tap Edit Widget to pick another.

How do I track a train on my Lock Screen?

Tap a train to open its detail view and start tracking. A Live Activity appears on your Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island, and updates as the trip progresses.

Can the app tell me when to get off?

Yes. Turn on Get-off alert in Settings and choose how many stops ahead you want warning. While you're tracking a train, the app notifies you as your stop approaches, and the alert vibrates even in silent mode.

What does precise on-board tracking do?

It uses your location while you ride so the get-off alert stays accurate with your phone in your pocket, rather than relying on the schedule alone. It is optional, it requires the get-off alert to be on, and your location never leaves your device. The app is fully usable without granting location access.

Can I change how the app looks?

Settings offers two designs: Classic, in Metra blue, and Flapboard, a split-flap departure board in amber. Both show the same information.

Does the app collect my data?

No. The app has no account, no ads and no tracking. Your boards, settings and location all stay on your device. (This support page counts page views with a privacy-friendly analytics service that sets no cookies.) See the Privacy Policy for details.

How much does it cost?

Metra Times is free.

Still need help?

Email support@goodenoughdev.com and we'll get back to you.

Metra Times is an independent app and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Metra or the Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad. Schedule and real-time information sourced from Metra's public data feeds.