O'Hare Transfer station
| Company type | Commuter rail station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transportation |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
| Products | Commuter rail service |
O'Hare Transfer functions as a commuter rail stop on Metra's North Central Service, providing access to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. Positioned from Chicago Union Station, it was ranked 183rd out of 236 non-downtown Metra stations in 2018, with an average weekday boarding figure of 113. The station is situated at the terminus of Zemke Boulevard, adjacent to the northeast section of the airport's Multi-Modal Facility, which includes rental car services and parking.
This station offers a connection to the Airport Transit System people mover located at O'Hare's Multimodal Facility, enabling complimentary transfers to all four airline terminals. Additionally, two Pace bus lines serve the lower level of the ATS station.
As of February 15, 2024, service at O'Hare Transfer comprises 12 weekday trains, split evenly with six heading in each direction. Given the limited schedule and weekday-only operation on the North Central Service, this station is not a primary gateway for most travelers using the airport. Trains typically utilize the westernmost platform, with occasional announcements indicating stops on the eastern platform.
In conjunction with the 2024 Democratic National Convention (August 12–30, 2024), Metra increased service frequency by offering 15 hourly weekday round trips between O'Hare Transfer and Chicago Union Station, including stops at River Grove station and Western Avenue station (Milwaukee District). Weekend operations featured 16 hourly round trips along the same route but did not extend beyond O'Hare Transfer.
Multi Modal Facility
The Multi Modal Facility (MMF) serves as an intermodal hub for the Airport Transit System (ATS) at O'Hare Airport and accommodates three Pace bus routes, notably including the Pulse Dempster Line. Acting as the terminus for both ATS and these bus services, the MMF is located west of O'Hare Transfer station and east of US 12/US 45 (Mannheim Road). It commenced operations on November 7, 2018.
Originally, there was no ATS connection to the MMF. The ATS system was closed on January 8, 2019, for comprehensive reconstruction and extension to reach the facility. Although reopening was initially scheduled for fall 2019, delays caused by supply chain disruptions linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and contractual disagreements postponed resumption by approximately two years. The ATS partially resumed service on November 3, 2021, before returning to full operational status on April 18, 2022, now directly integrated with the MMF.
Transit Connections
- Provides service to Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 5
- Routes: 250 Dempster Street, 330 Mannheim – LaGrange Roads, and Pulse Dempster Line