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.

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.

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. 

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.  

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.