O'Hare Transfer is station on the North Central Service that opened on on the edge of O'Hare Airport's Remote Parking Lot F on August, 19, 1996 with the opening of the Metra's North Central Service. Passengers currently reach O'Hare Airport by taking a Shuttle Bus to the Kiss 'n' Fly, Economy Parking Lot E terminus of the Airport Transit System.
The new O'Hare Multi-Modal Facility a large parking garage containing a consolidated Rental Car Facility, along the southern edge of the Metra Station on November 7, 2018. This facility is a new consolidated rental car center and public parking garage. An extension of the Airport Transit System to the 2nd level of the garage is scheduled to open in Fall 2019, unforchunately the ATS station will be on the opposite side of the garage from the Metra platform, requiring transferring passengers to walk through the garage. This ATS extension will see the two PACE regional buses that currently stop at the Kiss 'n' Fly end of the ATS system relocated to the Multi-Modal Facility. All of the 9 Inbound and 10 Outbound daily Metra North Central Service Trains stop at the O'Hare Transfer Station. If an airport passenger's timing is right to catch a train, the Metra can provide a faster trip into downtown than the frequently stopping Blue Line, and since Blue Line trips starting at O'Hare are subject to a $5 airport surcharge Metra can be only $1.25 more (2018 fares).
The station consists of a small cinderblock building with a small enclosed waiting area. This building is located at the end of Zemke Blvd (not planned to be modified with the new Multi-Modal Facility) that has a small bus loop for the shuttle buses before continuing into a parking garage for a nearby office building. Beyond the building is where the platforms start. There are two platforms for the three track line, although passenger trains stop at only the westernmost two tracks. These platforms are both side platforms for the westernmost two tracks and are completely offset from each other. The platform used by all trains except one is closest to the station and heads north from the pedestrian grade-crossing to the other platform outside the station building. There are a few more paths that lead towards the parking garage, but no further passenger amenities. The quasi-island Platform 2, used by only one train is accessed by using the grade-crossing and then runs south. The middle of this platform has a small gabled roof structure held up by a brick windscreen blocking access to the unused third track.
All Photos taken on 2 November, 2011
Prospect Heights 