Business & Tech
Metra Approves Fare Hike; How Much More Will Tickets Cost Next Year?
The fare increase is part of the agency's 2017 budget, which its board of directors voted on Friday.
CHICAGO, IL — Commuters and other Metra passengers will be paying more in February as the rail agency's board approved a $1.06 billion budget Friday that includes a fare hike. This is the third consecutive year Metra has raised its fares.
The increase is expected to generate $16.1 million that will be used to fund "huge capital needs," according to an agency press release. The new fares will begin Feb. 1.
The following shows how the hike will affect different tickets:
Find out what's happening in Chicagofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
One-way tickets will cost 25 cents more per ticket or 2.4 percent to 7.1 percent more depending on the zone. Passengers who travel on the train 30 times a year will pay an extra $7.50 annually.
Ten-ride tickets will cost $2.75 more per ticket or 2.9 percent to 8.9 percent more.
Find out what's happening in Chicagofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Monthly passes will cost $11.75 more per month or 4 percent to 12.3 percent more.
Reduced fare tickets also will see increases.
"No one likes to pay higher fares, but unfortunately we can’t ignore our need for more money to invest on our system," Metra Executive Director and CEO Don Orseno stated in the press release. "We hope our customers understand that we are trying to address a serious capital funding shortfall as best we can."
Got to Metra's website for the agency's complete 2017 budget.
photo via Patch archive
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