I'm going to have to look more closely, at the revised schedule that's been proposed. PDF file link from Metra's site, anyone?
I am disappointed that all Blue Island branch service will be eliminated on Saturday. IMO, there should be at least a little service between the Electric and Rock Island lines, so that you don't have to go all the way downtown and out again just to switch Metra lines. Yes I won't deny the ridership is low, but I still don't think it justifies eliminating all Saturday Blue Island branch service. I do weekend pass trips from time to time, and at times I have the Blue Island branch as a shortcut to get over to Rock Island. That'd be a shame, if all Saturday BI branch service was eliminated for good. I looked again at the current Metra Electric schedule, and I'd accept it if the Saturday frequency was reduced to 2 hours all day on the BI branch. It shouldn't be totally eliminated, that's for sure.
Also, all South Chicago service would be no more after 9pm going inbound, back from 93rd to downtown Chicago on weekends? That's a shame, since sometimes I have ridden the SC branch from 93rd back to Chicago(both weekdays and weekends, but mostly weekends) after 9pm at times. I will email Metra, to say these cuts are a little too much. Maybe I'm in the minority, in thinking that the schedule isn't too bad as it is? I don't mind if service frequency was reduced slightly(to 2 hours) on weekends on the SC and BI branches, but it's annoying to think they want to eliminate all late night service just for extra Hyde Park service. I probably would be less opposed to these changes, if they'd keep the current late trains on the SC branch, and not eliminate all Saturday BI service.
Would like to see a pdf file(if it's on Metra's site) to review over all the changes, then send an email with my thoughts. Do they really need 20 minute headways on the main Electric branch on even weekends, outside of weekday rush hour? I'm a little skeptical of that, though I could see a few extra runs on weekends during certain daytime hours(like every 30-45 minutes). I guess I'm in that minority, for being a little upset that all Saturday Blue Island branch service would be eliminated. And that they'd cut back how late South Chicago service will run(less in the minority here).