O'Hare to the Loop in 15 minutes? This company thinks it can finally bring fast rail to Chicago

Key Points:

• A new company, O’Hare Flyer, proposes a $2.25 billion battery-powered train service providing a 15-minute nonstop trip from downtown Chicago’s Old Post Office to O’Hare Airport, aiming to be faster and cheaper than current options.
• The plan involves using newly available freight rail land on Chicago’s Near West Side and dedicated tracks through existing rail corridors, minimizing new construction and enabling trains to run every 15 minutes at an average speed of 80 mph.
• The project has tentative agreements with major freight rail companies and support from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, with construction potentially starting in 2027 and completion within five years.
• Trains would operate daily from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m., with fares set between the cost of the CTA Blue Line and ride-share services, targeting a more efficient and affordable airport transit option.
• Experts note the project’s feasibility due to advances in battery train technology and private funding but caution about risks including financing, ridership levels, construction costs, and reliance on mostly single-track operation.