Blue Island–Vermont Street station

Blue Island–Vermont Street station
Company type	Commuter rail station
Industry	Transportation
Founded	1868 (Rock Island station), 1891 (Metra Electric station)
Headquarters	Blue Island, Illinois, United States
Area served	Blue Island, Illinois and surrounding areas
Products	Commuter rail services (Rock Island District and Metra Electric District Lines)

Blue Island–Vermont Street serves as a Metra station located in Blue Island, Illinois, accommodating both the Rock Island District and Metra Electric District Lines. Positioned from LaSalle Street Station along the Rock Island Line, it also functions as the southern endpoint of the Blue Island Branch on the Metra Electric Line, situated from Millennium Station.

In 2022, the Rock Island Line provided service at Blue Island-Vermont Street with a total of 74 trains on weekdays (evenly split between 37 inbound and 37 outbound), 33 trains on Saturdays, and 28 trains during Sundays and holidays. On weekdays, sixteen inbound trains commence their routes here and sixteen outbound conclude at this station; weekends see six inbound departures and six outbound arrivals. All trains that start or finish their trips at this station operate via the Beverly Branch, whereas those on the Main Line begin or end further south.

The Metra Electric Line offers 18 weekday trains (eight inbound and ten outbound) along with eight trains on Saturdays; however, there is no service on Sundays or holidays.

Both stations share parking facilities and bus connections. Although their platforms are positioned on opposite sides of the street, their close vicinity—less than an eighth of a mile apart—facilitates convenient transfers.

Blue Island-Vermont Street ranks among the most heavily trafficked stations on the Rock Island District and serves as a pivotal hub historically and presently. Numerous local Beverly Branch trains terminate here, and most rush-hour services stop before proceeding express. A coach yard located north of the station accommodates out-of-service railcars.

Rail enthusiasts are drawn to Vermont Street due to its distinct four-track configuration, frequent train movements, and active switching operations. The Iowa Interstate Railroad operates a daily freight train known as the BICB, which travels from Blue Island to Council Bluffs, Iowa along these lines. Nearby are local police and fire department facilities.

Both Blue Island–Vermont Street and Blue Island stations fall within zone 2 of Metra’s fare structure. In 2018, Blue Island–Vermont Street was ranked as the 84th busiest non-downtown Metra station with an average of 595 weekday boardings; by contrast, Blue Island station was positioned at 164th with 197 weekday boardings.

History

Rail service by Rock Island commenced in Blue Island in 1852, with the present brick station at Vermont Street replacing an earlier wooden depot in 1868. At this location, the Beverly Branch diverges from the main line, serving communities including Blue Island and Chicago’s Morgan Park and Beverly neighborhoods before rejoining the main line at Gresham station. Established in 1889 largely through efforts by the Blue Island Land and Building Company, this branch handles most passenger traffic, although some rush-hour trains utilize the main line. The Metra Electric station was constructed in 1891 as part of Illinois Central’s commuter branch extending from Kensington-115th Street.

Amtrak service began at this station on July 12, 1971. Due to financial difficulties preventing Rock Island Railroad from joining Amtrak, it continued operating its own intercity trains until Illinois discontinued subsidies, leading to termination of service on December 31, 1978. By the 1980s, this station had been incorporated into the Metra network.

Tracks

There are six tracks at the station: four dedicated to Rock Island operations and two serving Metra Electric trains. The Rock Island platforms include two associated with the Beverly Branch and two aligned with the main line; each branch features a side platform providing access to all four tracks. The majority of Beverly Branch trains terminate here (with exception of late-night services) before returning inbound toward LaSalle Street Station.

The Metra Electric portion consists of a stub-end terminus equipped with two tracks and one island platform. It is currently unique on the Blue Island branch as the only accessible station and one of just two stations on that branch featuring multiple tracks—the other being West Pullman, which has a passing siding.

Bus Connections

Pace

348 Harvey/Riverdale/Blue Island (operates weekdays only)
349 South Western
359 Robbins/South Kedzie Avenue
385 87th/111th/127th (weekday service only)

External Links