Metra Won't Raise Customer Fares In 2020

CHICAGO, IL — Metra announced Wednesday that it won't be raising fares in 2020, according to a release from the agency. It will be the second year in a row Metra hasn't increased its cost to ride, and the agency also announced that thanks to the state's new capital program, it will budget $2.6 billion for capital improvements over the next five years, according to the release. Budget priorities include locomotives, rail cars, stations and improvements to bridges and services, Metra said, adding that a list of specific projects to be funded by the program is still being drafted, and will be presented when the capital program is proposed in October.

“We are happy to give our customers a double dose of good news this budget season,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski, in a release sent to Patch. “First, we have been able to keep our operating expenses in check and will not need to raise fares to cover higher operating costs. Second, thanks to Springfield stepping up, we do not need to raise fares for capital needs – in fact, we now have a significant infusion of capital dollars to help us begin to attack our backlog of capital work.”

Metra pinpointed ways to take the reins on its operating costs in order to prevent a fare increase, and identified nearly $5 million in efficiencies, the release said. The agency expects to save nearly $16 million by not filling vacancies, reducing overtime and other expenses, according to the release. Those $21 million in reductions will help offset the $26 million increase expected next year in operating expenses. Metra therefore expects its overall operating budget to increase by $5 million in 2020, the agency added.

More: metrarail.com