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Metra is easing proposed fare increases for city and near-Chicago riders after outcry that they would be paying up to two-thirds more for tickets next year.
A revised ticket plan has riders from Cicero an Berwyn paying 35 percent more for a monthly pass — much less than the 67-percent increase first proposed last month.
Under the new structure, a monthly pass for Berwyn to the city would cost $85.50, compared to the $105.75 pitched in September. The monthly pass now costs $63.45.
Most of the other riders who travel from Zone C and beyond — essentially Maywood and Riverside stations and everything west — will pay just slightly higher rates than last month's proposal.
Westmont and Hinsdale riders, for instance, would pay $135.25 for a monthly pass to Chicago, as opposed to the $134 initially proposed. They now pay $102.60.
Officials discussed the new figures during the Metra Board of Directors meeting this morning. Rate increases are on the table as Metra tries to address a $65 million budget shortfall.
The initial hikes leaned heavily on city and near-suburban riders, some of whom attended this morning's meeting to urge a more balanced approach.
With the new plan, Metra will hear feedback from riders at public hearings in the next several weeks before voting on the proposed fares likely in November. Any fare increases would go into effect in February.
Metra is easing proposed fare increases for city and near-Chicago riders after outcry that they would be paying up to two-thirds more for tickets next year.
A revised ticket plan has riders from Cicero an Berwyn paying 35 percent more for a monthly pass — much less than the 67-percent increase first proposed last month.
Under the new structure, a monthly pass for Berwyn to the city would cost $85.50, compared to the $105.75 pitched in September. The monthly pass now costs $63.45.
Most of the other riders who travel from Zone C and beyond — essentially Maywood and Riverside stations and everything west — will pay just slightly higher rates than last month's proposal.
Westmont and Hinsdale riders, for instance, would pay $135.25 for a monthly pass to Chicago, as opposed to the $134 initially proposed. They now pay $102.60.
Officials discussed the new figures during the Metra Board of Directors meeting this morning. Rate increases are on the table as Metra tries to address a $65 million budget shortfall.
The initial hikes leaned heavily on city and near-suburban riders, some of whom attended this morning's meeting to urge a more balanced approach.
With the new plan, Metra will hear feedback from riders at public hearings in the next several weeks before voting on the proposed fares likely in November. Any fare increases would go into effect in February.
