Worth getting rid of my car? Too risky?

[hxcobd]

Been a few weeks since I made the jump from being a car owner here in Chicago to being a full-time train commuter, so I thought I'd post some of my thoughts/feelings on how it's working out:

I live in Marina City, so I'm roughly a mile from Union Station. I was previously parking further away than this from my apartment in Lakeview, so taking 20-25 minutes to walk to the station every morning doesn't really bother me.

The ride from Union Station to Wheeling takes about 50 minutes via Metra. Considering I have to get up at about 6 daily to make the train at 7:10, I tend to take this train ride to sleep (lol). This is probably the most irritating part of my work day; my schedule at work is completely loose and my coworkers don't arrive until 10, but Metra trains to Wheeling only leave every 2 hours, so it's either get to Wheeling at 8 or get to Wheeling at 10. This would be fine, except the last train OUT of Wheeling is at 5:45, and I really need the hours/money, so an 8-5 shift is preferrable to a 10-5, as I'd HAVE to leave at 5 regardless.

Schedule woes aside, I have no real complaints. A monthly Metra pass is $120 for this route, which is about a THIRD of what comparable car expenses would be (insurance + Chicago sticker + $200 monthly parking + gas), so cost-wise, I'm enthralled about the decision.

One gripe about the Metra: Apparently monthly passes are only good for a specific route/line, which I find pretty stupid. For $120, I feel like I should be able to take any train on any line that I please... a la CTA monthly passes.

But yeah, aside from that, I'm really happy with my decision thus far. Not having to worry about a car is a huge load off my shoulders. I'm the type of person that will happily tolerate walking a mile or two each way per day for a worthwhile job, especially in this job market.

When one of my coworkers found out I was walking a mile to the Metra station and then another mile from the Wheeling stop to my workplace, she was appalled, and asked how I could tolerate such a thing every day.

No big deal, I say!

OH, another advantage of "reverse-commuting:" trains are almost completely empty going both ways!

[Drover]

Have you considered biking to and from the stations instead of walking? Bikes are typically allowed on Metra trains, even during rush hour for reverse commuters.

[chirack]

Good that things are working out for you so far. However I think you might need a plan for winter. It could take you near double the amount of time walking to/from metra stops both in Chicago and wheeling. Very doable, just make sure you have time before your work starts or make sure to leave extra time before you leave for work. Also do you have a plan for if you miss your train at 5?

[hxcobd]

I have considered the bike option; simply don't have the money to buy a bike at the moment. I'd probably be doing that already otherwise!

Haven't really bothered thinking about winter yet. It'll be just liking driving anywhere; takes a lot longer and is twenty times more irritating, but unavoidable.

I have absolutely no backup if I miss my train at 5. My boss is quite aware of the fact that my last possible train is at 5:45, so hopefully it won't become an issue. You're right though, this fact does occasionally worry me.

[hxcobd]

I should correct myself: my employer has been kind enough to let me keep my car in one of our back parking lots indefinitely, so I'm technically never "screwed" if I miss the train; I could just drive back into the city and find some free parking for the night.