Metra News Release

News Release

Metra board votes for budget option with 10 percent fare increase

Chicago, Nov. 16, 2007 - The Metra Board of Directors approved a proposed 2008 budget with a 10 percent fare increase next year as part of a financial plan to plug a $40 million budget gap. Board members considered two budget proposals, one calling for a 10 percent fare increase combined with other cost-saving measures, the second built on a 5 percent fare increase coupled with the elimination of all Sunday Metra service. The board voted 5-1 for the 10 percent fare increase and to preserve the Sunday schedule.
"We are sensitive to and do appreciate the real-life impact this has on the people who ride our trains," said Metra Chairman Carole R. Doris. "But without additional state funding, the situation is grim and it will only get worse."
A 2008 fare increase would be the sixth in Metra's 24-year history. Fare increases historically have been implemented on Feb. 1.
Other noteworthy items in the proposed $589 million operating budget include:

Replacing the $5 weekend ticket with a $7 one-day only pass on Saturdays and Sundays.
The elimination of 100 administrative positions.
Reductions in equipment and station cleaning, marketing programs, and other administrative areas.
Freezing of all non-union employee wages.

On the capital side, the proposed budget includes a $158 million capital program for 2008. At that level, the capital program cannot support long-desired coach car purchases, station projects or needed railroad infrastructure improvements.
"Without additional capital funding our system will begin to deteriorate," said Metra Executive Director Philip A. Pagano. "That deterioration is going to be gradual and it will take a number of years to get back to where we are today."
The proposed budget now goes to the Regional Transportation Authority for its consideration and approval. The RTA is expected to take up service boards' budgets at its Dec. 14 meeting.
If a transit-funding package comes out of Springfield in the coming weeks, the 2008 proposed Metra budget would be revised to reflect additional dollars.