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Downers Grove, IL —
Maybe with the unseasonably warm weather, people forgot today was Feb. 1 — the date Metra's rate increase goes into effect.
Early this afternoon, some of the few riders at Downers Grove's Main Street station arrived at the platform forgetting that a one-way ticket to Chicago will now cost an extra 75 cents and that they'd have to pay 30 percent more for a monthly pass.
"It's a big jump you're taking," said Gary Stalling of Joliet, who knew of the increases approved last year but forgot they start today. He relies on Metra for his regular commute. "I may try to find a bus or something."
Ticket prices will increase across the board as Metra hopes to cover a roughly $65 million budget shortfall. A trip from Lisle or Downers Grove to downtown will now cost $5.25; a monthly pass goes up to $149.50, a $33.40 increase.
For monthly-pass riders, the fare increase means an additional $400 each year to commute from Lisle's or Downers Grove’s stations to Chicago. Added up, that is almost $1,800 annually for commuter passes. The increase breaks down to an additional $1.42 per weekday.
Leonard Evans, who also didn't realize today's increases, was waiting for a westbound train that was delayed six to 12 minutes due to train traffic, according to a station announcement.
"What traffic?" he laughed. "It's not like there's other trains or they had to stop for gas. … If they're going to raise rates, at least they should provide better service."
Maybe with the unseasonably warm weather, people forgot today was Feb. 1 — the date Metra's rate increase goes into effect.
Early this afternoon, some of the few riders at Downers Grove's Main Street station arrived at the platform forgetting that a one-way ticket to Chicago will now cost an extra 75 cents and that they'd have to pay 30 percent more for a monthly pass.
"It's a big jump you're taking," said Gary Stalling of Joliet, who knew of the increases approved last year but forgot they start today. He relies on Metra for his regular commute. "I may try to find a bus or something."
Ticket prices will increase across the board as Metra hopes to cover a roughly $65 million budget shortfall. A trip from Lisle or Downers Grove to downtown will now cost $5.25; a monthly pass goes up to $149.50, a $33.40 increase.
For monthly-pass riders, the fare increase means an additional $400 each year to commute from Lisle's or Downers Grove’s stations to Chicago. Added up, that is almost $1,800 annually for commuter passes. The increase breaks down to an additional $1.42 per weekday.
Leonard Evans, who also didn't realize today's increases, was waiting for a westbound train that was delayed six to 12 minutes due to train traffic, according to a station announcement.
"What traffic?" he laughed. "It's not like there's other trains or they had to stop for gas. … If they're going to raise rates, at least they should provide better service."
