Metra Could Raise Fares For 4th Year In A Row; How Much Could You Pay?

CHICAGO, IL — Metra passengers could see ticket prices raised for a fourth consecutive year as the transit agency's board discussed a possible fare hike Wednesday to deal with rising expenses and to make up for lost state funding. In February, one-way tickets went up by 25 cents, and riders could see another quarter increase — or even higher — next year. Any fare increase will be voted on later in the fall.

Two fare-increase options are on the table for the Metra board to consider, according to the Chicago Tribune. One option would only raise one-way tickets by 25 cents, and monthly tickets would see an increase between $9 to $12.50 depending on the distance of the ride, the report stated. The other option would increase the cost of one-way tickets by 50 cents, and the price range of monthly passes would be between $16.25 to $19.75, the report added.

Kirk Dillard, the board chairman for the Regional Transit Authority, the oversight body for Metra, the CTA and Pace, told Metra's board Wednesday that the transit agencies are "going into a really tough time," the report stated. The agencies could see around $76 million in state budget cuts, and the RTA must pay back a debt of $5.5 million for borrowing money to cover a shortfall when the state did not provide funding on time, according to the report. Dwindling sales tax revenue from a down-trending state economy and non-taxed online sales are hurting the transit agencies' bottom line, as well, the report added. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Chicago — or your neighborhood. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

RELATED: Metra Approves Fare Hike; How Much More Will Tickets Cost Next Year?

Along with this year's fare hike, which saw an average increase of 5.8 percent, Metra raised prices by 2 percent in 2016 and 11 percent in 2015. All of those increases were part of the agencies 10-year plan to fund modernization improvements.

YOUR TURN: Is a Metra fare hike for a fourth consecutive year one increase too many? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section.

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