Metra Commuters Have to Open Their Wallets Wider Now

Finding a seat for your daily commute may be easier Wednesday when Metra fare hikes go into effect.

Higher prices are hard to swallow, and Metra expects ridership to dip at least for a while in reaction to its largest rate hikes ever. The hikes are an overall average of 25 percent and, in some cases, such as the monthly pass from Zones A and B, as high as 35 percent.

Metra media spokesperson Meg Reilie told Patch that it will take two to three months before Metra can start assessing the effect of the new prices on ridership. “It really will take a year to know for sure,” she said. “You will have some fall off as with any increase, especially one of this magnitude. But then people return when they realize it is the best option.”

Starting Wednesday,

• One-way tickets will increase an average of 15.7 percent across all fare zones.
• 10-ride tickets will go up an average of 30 percent.
• Monthly passes will increase an average of 29.4 percent.
• Reduced fare one-way tickets will increase an average of 10.3 percent.
• Reduced fare 10-ride tickets will increase an average of 18.9 percent.
• Reduced fare monthly passes will go up an average of 10.8 percent.

Taken all together, the overall average increase is 25 percent. See the new fare charts with this article.

In addition to the fare hikes, several fare polices also change starting Wednesday. Those include:

• One-way tickets will only be valid for 14 days, instead of a year, and they will no longer be refundable.
• The 10-ride ticket discount will be reduced so that riders will get 10 rides for the price of nine, rather than 10 for the price of eight.
• Ten-ride tickets will remain valid for a year, but will be refundable only within three months of the date of purchase.
• For refunds on a partially used ticket, the cost of a one-way ticket from the specific zone-pair combination will be deducted for each ride taken. After the ninth ride is used, the ticket will no longer be refundable. Refunds are subject to a $5 handling fee per transaction.
• Monthly passes will be valid through the end of the month (instead of noon on the first day of the following month) and refunds will be subject to a $5 fee per transaction.
• The Metra subsidy for the Link-Up and PlusBus tickets will be eliminated and riders will have to pay the full costs of those passes. The new price of the tickets is being worked out with the CTA and Pace.
• Young adult fares on weekends and holidays will be eliminated. 

And, a note to weekend commuters: If the station is open, take time to buy your pass before boarding. A $3 surcharge will now be charged for the $7 pass.

Metra officials say the rail system needs the fare increase to help cover a budget deficit next year caused by a spike in diesel fuel prices, the demands of meeting new federal regulations, higher insurance premiums and a variety of other rising costs. Proceeds from the regional transportation sales tax also have fallen short of expectations due to the faltering economy.

Also, Metra has decided to stop diverting funds from its capital budget, meant for infrastructure improvements, to plug holes in its operating budget.