The Student Association Mass Transit Board made its first connection with DeKalb this year in an effort to get a Metra passenger train into town, but many obstacles need to be resolved before service can be realized.

Board member Kate Donovan contacted DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow to create a coordinated effort with the city to get Metra service. The SAMTB has been pushing for a DeKalb stop since last year.

Donovan said she would not elaborate on the discussion she had with the mayor, but she said they will meet sometime next week.

Sparrow said the city fully supports Metra service to DeKalb because of the high percentage of NIU students from the Chicago suburbs, but he said there are obstacles in the way.

“To date, I don’t envision that we are going to get anything done,” Sparrow said.

He said the main problem is Metra’s resistance toward expanding to DeKalb because of the costs involved. “I’m not sure they are willing to come out here,” Sparrow said.

Todd Allen, SAMTB chairman, said the closest Metra train stop to DeKalb is in Geneva which is in Kane County. Geneva is about 24 miles east of DeKalb.

However, in order for the train to travel further west to DeKalb County, the county will have to become a member of the Regional Transportation Authority. Sparrow said county approval for membership would be difficult.

However, Sparrow said he was more optimistic about service from Amtrak. He said Amtrak has been open to the idea of a DeKalb stop.

Allen said Amtrak service is a definite alternative, but he said Metra service would probably offer more stops.

However, Allen said the politics of getting Metra service is difficult. “Like everything in life, you have people who are for and against these kind of things,” he said.

DeKalb Administrative Intern Dale Cheatham, who represents the city at SAMTB meetings, said at this point “there is not a whole lot the city can do.”