Metra yesterday sued Union Pacific Railroad for breach of contract, marking a new stage in the ongoing dispute between the railroads over the operation of commuter service on UP-owned rail lines in the Chicago area. Filed in Cook County Circuit Court, Metra's lawsuit accuses UP of breaching its purchase of service agreement (PSA) with the Chicago commuter railroad by failing to maintain ticket agents at stations, collect tickets and fares on trains and have UP trainmen walk the trains on UP's Union Pacific North, Northwest and West lines. As owner of the lines, UP is responsible for operating the commuter service over its tracks with its employees under the PSA with Metra. Metra claims that the PSA obligates UP to collect fares and have conductors validate tickets on the trains. In addition to monetary damages, Metra is seeking a permanent injunction that would require UP conductors and onboard personnel resume selling and validating all tickets and making repeated passes through the cars to assist riders and promote disorderly conduct. "We strongly disagree with how Union Pacific Railroad has been operating commuter service," said Metra Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Jim Derwinski in a press release. "We have given UP management numerous opportunities to provide the necessary level of service as on our other lines, but they have refused to address these issues in any meaningful way and have left us no recourse but to seek relief through the courts." Earlier this month, UP announced riders using its Metra lines must show a valid ticket when boarding an outbound train or upon arrival at Ogilvie Transportation Center. UP employees behind protective, plexiglass booths will verify fares as commuter enter or leave train platforms. UP has said the process increases fare collection while helping to keep UP employees and Chicago commuters safe and healthy as the world continues to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. UP has repeatedly asked Metra to increase its police presence to address commuters' safety concerns, as well as enforce ticketing and mask requirements. Responsibility for onboard passenger and public safety has been Metra's responsibility for three years, UP officials have said.
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