Kensington/115th Street station
| Company type | Commuter rail station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transportation |
| Founded | 1916 |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois , United States |
Area served | Chicago metropolitan area |
| Products | Commuter rail services (Metra Electric Line) |
115th Street/Kensington functions as a commuter rail stop situated on Chicago's far south side, accommodating the Metra Electric Line with routes extending northbound toward Millennium Station and southbound to both University Park and Blue Island. Positioned at the intersection of 115th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue within the Pullman and West Pullman districts, it serves as the final station before the Blue Island Branch splits off from the main route. In 2018, this station was ranked 37th in usage among Metra’s 236 stations outside downtown, averaging 1,136 boardings on weekdays. Just south of this location, the South Shore Line diverges toward Indiana; while it formerly made stops here, service ceased on February 15, 2012, following a junction redesign aimed at easing congestion.
Back in 1991, a community organization named "Operation Restore Kensington" emerged to advocate for aesthetic enhancements and safety improvements at one of the busiest points along the Metra Electric line. Collaborating with railroad management and municipal authorities, the group successfully promoted upgrades such as enhanced parking facilities, improved lighting, landscaping efforts, increased security measures, and encouraged local business participation through concessions. O.R.K. also championed plans for a new station building and expanded parking capacity before dissolving later in the decade.
Historically, this station accommodated Illinois Central intercity services traveling from Chicago to destinations further south.
According to a 2014 Chicago Plan Commission typology, 115th Street/Kensington is classified as a Local Activity Center, highlighting its role as a neighborhood focal point within a developed urban environment.
Bus connections
- 4 Cottage Grove
- 111A Pullman Shuttle
- 115 Pullman/115th
Enhancements:
- Parking lot resurfacing completed in 2020.
- Infrastructure improvements near Cottage Grove Avenue coordinated with ongoing development initiatives in the Pullman area.