Metra’s Future Budget Plans Could Raise Fares and Reduce Trains Without Legislative Support

CHICAGO (WLS) — As Friday commuters leave for home, the news about Metra’s future plans includes higher fares and fewer trains unless there is relief from Springfield.

Discussions are ongoing, as deadlines loom for the region’s transportation agencies to prepare budgets.

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On Friday, the High Speed Rail Alliance hosted an event titled “Averting the Cliff,” regarding the financial crisis facing Chicago-area transit.

“The Senate passed a really good bill at the end of last session; we would like to see that bill get passed in the House with some minor upgrades,” High Speed Rail Alliance Executive Director Rick Harnish said.

On Friday, the Metra Board approved a proposed $1.1 billion budget that includes fare increases next year.

It would be the first across-the-board fare increase at Metra since 2018, the commuter rail said. Due to the need to round fares to the nearest quarter to assist onboard fare collection, Metra fares would increase 13% to 15% depending on the fare product and the number of zones travelled, Metra said.

But the plan for 2027 and 2028 would include more fare increases, up to 40% in service cuts and layoffs without funding approved by the legislature.

“There is very little time left to act, and I think we have all made that clear, including the RTA made that very, very clear to the legislators,” Metra CEO and Executive Director Jim Derwinski said.

Among the public comments Friday were Metra workers.

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“Less trains may not immediately lead to less riders, but it will lead to overcrowded trains, and exhausted crews, and pushed to the brink. And that’s how accidents happen,” Metra engineer Brandon Stewart said.

The Metra Board of Directors voiced concerns about the fiscal crisis and what could happen if maintenance of the system isn’t properly funded, in particular the work to maintain aging bridges.

“We’ve got to make sense of this. We lose one bridge and a whole line is out; we can’t afford that,” Metra Board Director Rodney Craig said.

The Active Transportation Alliance advocates for those who walk, bike and use mass transit.

“Transit is so vital to our region and letting not get the money it need and begin to make really drastic cuts would be terribly harmful economically and socially,” said Amy Rynell, executive director of Active Transportation Alliance.

A veto session begins next week, but officials said work is well underway to try to insure funding is approved by the legislature.

Metra on Friday also announced a new bike policy.

“To address safety concerns affiliated with large, heavy e-bikes and e-scooters, Metra will now require customers to be able to carry their bikes and scooters on and off trains by themselves and without the assistance of their device’s electric motors,” the rail service said.