High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Metra is the commuter rail division of the Illinois Regional Transportation Authority. The system serves Chicago and its metropolitan area through 241 stations on 11 different rail lines. Throughout the 21st century, Metra has been the second busiest commuter rail system in the United States by average weekday passenger trips. Experiencing an average growth of 1.6% in ridership per year, Metra trains offered 82.7 million passenger rides in 2011.