Basic Bus, 'L' Fares Will Stay the Same in 2017, CTA Says

CHICAGO, IL — Next year, commuters who ride the bus or the "L" can continue to party like it's 2009, the last year the Chicago Transit Authority raised its basic fares. The CTA announced Monday it will keep the price of its basic fares the same in 2017 for the eighth consecutive year, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Bus fares will continue to cost $2, and rail rates will stay at $2.25 as part of the transportation service's $1.524 million budget, the report stated. The base fares have been at this level since 2009, with the only increases being for daily, monthly and weekly pass rates in 2013, the report added.

Even though the CTA's operating costs will increase about 3.3 percent next year, the agency still was able to turn in a balance budget without increasing fares or cutting service, the Tribune reports. Pre-paying for diesel fuel and historically low electricity costs are ways the CTA was able to save money, the report added.

Earlier this month, Metra announced it was contemplating a fare increase that could see a nearly 6 percent increase for the average ticket beginning as early as February.

More via the Chicago Tribune

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