Metra

Metra Fare Hikes Take Effect in Chicago Area

The fare hikes are designed to try to close a $45 million budget deficit caused by state funding cuts, according to the agency

Fare hikes on Metra trains officially took effect Thursday. 

Under the new prices, a one-way ticket will increase by a quarter, a 10-ride ticket  goes up from $4 to just under $8, depending on the length of a trip, and monthly passes increase anywhere from $9 to $12.50. 

The fare hikes are designed to try to close a $45 million budget deficit caused by state funding cuts, according to the agency. The change in fares will be accompanied by service cuts on several Metra lines. 

Those service cuts will go into effect on Feb. 5, the agency says. The frequency of some weekday trains will be reduced or the routes eliminated on the North Central Service, SouthWest Service and Rock Island Line. Weekend trains will be cut on the Milwaukee District North Line.

It's the fourth straight year that the suburban Chicago commuter rail agency has raised fares. And Metra has warned that more increases could be coming.

New schedules are explained on the Metrarail page online . Paper copies will be available at downtown Metra stations beginning Jan. 25.

The Metra Board approved a $797 million operating budget in November.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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