Metra is an interesting and unique scenario among commuter systems, however, as the rail lines are all legacy system which have, more or less, run consistently for well over 100 years.
As such, many suburban stations run through historic downtowns. In the last couple of decades there has been movement and success in redeveloping several of these areas around the station.
Where things have not necessarily been so successful is in designing service to promote travel to these downtowns as destinations, apart from the am/pm commute. Take Arlington Heights, for example. It's a small entertainment mecca of the northwest suburbs with lots of restaurants and condos. Even the more residential areas are, to some extent, walkable from the station. However, the last train back towards the big city comes through at about 9:30. It needs to be a couple hours later if anyone wants to go a show or the comedy club or dancing or drinks. Service is hourly middays and evenings. Which is alright. But greater frequency would be better. Metra is, finally, trying a discounted ticket for travel of shorter distances, which might actually incentivise getting beyond a neighborhood comfort zone to try taking the train a couple of suburbs over.
However, there is scant bus service through this suburb from the train station. So, want to get anywhere beyond walking distance? Hahahaha.
At some stations Pace has collaborated with suburban based office complexes to offer a connecting bus to/from the closest Metra stop. And there is some rush hour based service in certain areas, such as Naperville. So, that's a plus. However, extension of Metra lines has also occurred, largely, to establish large parknand ride areas in exurbs.
And, of course, the hub and spoke not only requires coming into the city from one direction to head out another. But service isn't always well coordinated to foster the transfer. The train you COULD connect to might depart 5 minuteds before your inbound train arrives downtown.
