Missing masks on Metra

On July 9, I came into the city via Metra to run an errand. I caught the first morning train from Lemont, and being prudent, I wore gloves and a mask. When I arrived at Union Station, I went to purchase my return ticket.

The ticket agent wasn’t wearing gloves, and her single-use face mask was dangling ineffectively from one ear. As she spoke to me, it was obvious she was eating something. She was confused as to what zone Lemont was in, and even after loudly asking for help from an unseen co-worker, she still fumbled over which ticket to sell me. When I took the ticket from her, I was thankful I was wearing gloves.

Later in the afternoon, I returned to Union Station hoping to find something to eat before catching the first evening train back. In case I needed to make a future trip into the city, I decided to buy an extra ticket. That agent wore neither gloves nor a mask, and he too was confused as to which ticket to sell me. I had to “remind” him to give me my receipt.

It is Metra’s policy that all riders must wear a mask. Isn’t it also a city and state requirement? Are Metra employees exempt, or just poorly trained? At least the second agent wasn’t eating! The first instance was merely unseemly; a second instance would have been grotesque. John Vukmirovich, Lemont