Metra’s new fare structure begins Feb. 1

Metra’s new fare structure, including adjustments in one-way fares and the first change in the cost of weekend passes since the program began in 1991, begins on Feb. 1. But most Metra riders won’t be affected, because the vast majority of riders use 10-ride tickets and monthly passes, and those fares won’t change.

The changes in the fare structure are intended to encourage customers to use 10-ride tickets and monthly passes, which already offer a significant discount over one-way fares. Those multiple-ride options are easier than ever to purchase on Metra’s new website, which now allows riders to buy 10-ride tickets and monthly passes online with credit and debit cards.

To encourage riders to buy tickets at stations and over the Internet, Metra is increasing the penalty for on-board purchases to $3 from $2. That penalty is not assessed on passengers who board at unmanned stations.

One-way fares are increasing about 6 percent, an average of about 30 cents a ticket. In order to simplify on-board fare collection, the increases have been rounded to the nearest quarter, a practice common to other commuter rail operations in the United States. (Please see the accompanying fare chart.)

Weekend fares are increasing to $7 from $5. This will be the first increase in the existence of the weekend fare program, which started in May 1991. During that time, Metra has raised its general fares four times (in 1996, 2002, 2006 and 2008). Weekend passes are good for unlimited rides on both Saturday and Sunday.

Increases for one-way fares between downtown and the zone indicated:

Zone 2009 2010

A $2.15 $2.25

B $2.35 $2.50

C $3.35 $3.50

D $3.80 $4.00

E $4.30 $4.50

F $4.75 $5.00

G $5.15 $5.50

H $5.65 $6.00

I $6.10 $6.50

J $6.60 $7.00

K $7.05 $7.50

M $8.05 $8.50

Increases for reduced one-way fares between downtown and the zone indicated:

Zone 2009 2010

A $1.05 $1.00

B $1.15 $1.25

C $1.65 $1.75

D $1.90 $2.00

E $2.15 $2.25

F $2.35 $2.50

G $2.55 $2.75

H $2.80 $3.00

I $3.05 $3.25

J $3.30 $3.50

K $3.50 $3.75

M $4.00 $4.25