Business & Tech

Metra Fare Hike Takes Effect Today

Last year, Metra approved fare hikes to help cover a budget deficit attributed to diesel fuel prices, new federal regulations and higher insurance premiums for the company.

A 30 percent increase to Metra's 10-ride tickets and monthly passes takes effect today, Feb. 1, for commuters throughout the Chicago area.

Last year, Metra approved fare hikes to help cover a budget deficit attributed to diesel fuel prices, new federal regulations and higher insurance premiums for the company.

  • One-way tickets will increase an average of 15.7 percent across all fare zones and 10.3 percent for reduced fares;
  • 10-ride tickets will go up an average of 30 percent, or 18.9 percent for reduced fares; and
  • Monthly passes will increase an average of 29.4 percent, or 10.8 percent for reduced fares.

Taken together, the overall average increase is about 25 percent. The commuter rail division of the Illinois Regional Transit Authority is facing a $65 million deficit in 2012 and $100 million deficit in 2013.

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What do the percentages mean for you? In Zone A, there will be an average monthly increase of $78. In Zone D, the monthly increase is about $135. View the PDF attached to this article for a breakdown of all 2012 fares.

Metra's Board of Directors originally proposed cutting weekday and weekend trains along the Line to plug the budget hole, but decided against it after elected officials sent , saying that such service cuts would “disenfranchise” commuters in the southwest suburbs.

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Read more about Metra's changes in fare policies.

—Paul Dailing and Jesse Marx contributed to this article


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