River Forest to Geneva Metra Commute (Oak Park, Batavia: neighborhood, to live in, buses)

[richj79]

I'm moving to River Forest in the next 3 weeks and I'm scoping out how to get back and forth from Geneva/Batavia. I found the right trains and I have all the times, but my question is this....

The Pace buses are scheduled to arrive at the station at virtually the same time the train is supposed to be arriving..... so how often do they miss each other? I could always grab a cab or the next train, but I'd rather that be the exception than the norm. Likewise if on the return trip the bus is scheduled to arrive at the station at virtually the same time as the train is supposed to be there what are my chances for making the train?? The schedule says that the buses are timed to make it easy to catch the trains or get from the station to the bus, but I don't see how that's the case unless the buses or the train wait for each other.... and I highly doubt that.

Any feedback would be great, I'm looking at using the UP-West line outbound to Geneva in the morning and Pace 802 to get to Batavia.... Anyone using these??? Also what's a cab gonna run for the days that I miss the bus? It's about a 2 mile drive to Batavia from the station.


Rich

[oakparkdude]

I make the same commute from Oak Park to Geneva every day. The Metra is fairly reliable, although its not unusual to be running 5-10 minutes late due to freight train interference. I'm not sure about the reliability of the buses. I've got about a 2 mile commute from the Geneva station to work. I actually leave a car at the Geneva station parking lot to drive to work, since I can't rely on buses. You might consider bringing a bicyle and riding the two miles. At least in good weather, its not too bad a ride.

[oakparkdude]

Oh, by the way, if you miss the Metra, there's a nice Caribou coffee one block from the station in Geneva with free wireless internet. I've hung out there quite a few times waiting for the next train.

[richj79]

Thanks for the help, happen to know any where I could post a request to catch a ride to downtown Batavia with someone headed that direction? Obviously I'd be willing to pay the expense and something extra for the convenience.

Rich

[oakparkdude]

You could try putting an ad in the local papers (Kane County Chronicle and Geneva Sun). Try googling them for url.

[oakparkdude]

BTW, welcome to the neighborhood. River Forest is a wonderful town.

[oakparkdude]

Just curious, why did you decide to live in RF and commute to Batavia?