Community Corner

Metra Riders Given Opportunity to Voice Concerns Over Rate Hikes

Metra is holding eight hearings in the Chicago metropolitan area before taking a final vote on its budget, Nov. 11.

Area residents will have an opportunity to express their feelings about Metra rate increases at a public hearing on Metra’s proposed 2012 budget, from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 2, at Woodstock City Hall, 121 W. Calhoun St. in Woodstock.

“The purpose is to hear from the public and our riders about what they think of the proposed budget and to take comments. The board will consider all of the comments before they vote on the final budget,” said Michael Gillis, a spokesman for Metra.

Metra board of directors will hold eight public meetings prior to voting on the budget, Nov. 11.

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In a survey this summer, users favored a rate increase over schedule cutbacks.

“Many people preferred us to retain the service the way it is and address the budget problem with fare increases,” Gillis said.

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Metra is proposing fare increases to deal with a $53.6 million budget deficit it is facing for 2012.

The cost of diesel fuel is the single biggest cause of deficit,” Gillis said. “It helps every time it goes down, but it’s still higher than it was a few years back.”

Other causes of the deficit include the demands of meeting new federal regulations and higher insurance premiums. Proceeds from the regional transportation sales tax have been less than expected due to the faltering economy. The Metra board has also decided to stop diverting funds from its capital budget to its operating budget, a practice that is not deemed sustainable.

The overall proposed fare increase is 25.1 percent, according to a Metra news release. One-way tickets would increase an average of 15.7 percent across all fare zones. Ten-ride tickets would go up an average of 30 percent, and monthly passes would increase an average of 29.4 percent. Reduced fare one-way tickets would increase an average of 10.3 percent, reduced fare ten-ride tickets would increase an average of 18.9 percent and reduced fare monthly passes would go up an average of 10.8 percent.

For example, for riders who travel from in Zone I to Union Station, a one-way ticket would go up from $6.50 to $7.25; a 10-ride ticket would increase from $51.85 to $65.25; and a monthly pass would go from $164.70 to $206.50.


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