Metra Fare Hike Goes Into Effect Tomorrow
By Chuck Sudo in News on Jan 31, 2012 10:00PM
Tomorrow is the day that Metra's new fare hikes go into effect, which could see ticket prices to ride the rail system increase by up to 35 percent.
The Tribune, channeling their inner USA Today, put together a handy info-graphic that indicates Metra stands to see an additional $53.6 million in revenue. Coincidentally, that's the same amount as their current budget shortfall.
Metra is billing the fare increase as a 25 percent raise. But that's if you factor the 15.7 increase in one-way fares with the steeper increase in monthly and 10-ride passes. Commuters looking to save money by stockpiling on monthly and ten-ride passes at their current rates are finding the rail agency has implemented a policy to prevent that. Furthermore, all 10-ride passes purchased between Nov. 11, 2011 and today expire Feb. 29. Metra spokesman Michael Gillis said the agency simply couldn't afford to have customers stockpiling the passes, which are normally good for a year. Starting tomorrow, all 10-ride passes will be good for a year.
Metra riders told both the Tribune and the Sun-Times that they're stuck between a rock and a hard place. They aren't happy with the fare hikes, but it's cheaper than driving.