The operating budget does not call for fare increases or service cuts, but agency officials warn that $70 cuts in expenses will be needed without additional state or federal COVID-19-related financial assistance. “Without additional financial assistance, we face extremely difficult choices — and that includes service cuts,” Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski said in a press release. “Our sister agencies in Chicago and across the country are in the same predicament. We need to get the message out loud and clear that public transportation as our customers know it could be severely curtailed without additional financial relief.”
The funding breakdown for the operating budget, as well as details of expenditures under the capital plan, are available in this News Wire article on the budget plan.
The board’s approval of an intergovernmental agreement with Cook County will lead to a 50% reduction in fares on the Metra Electric and Rock Island lines in January as part of the Fair Transit South Cook plan, a 3-year pilot project to improve public transportation in an economically disadvantage and transit-dependent portion of Cook County.
Under the intergovernmental agreement approved by the board, Metra will charge the reduced fare — normally available to seniors, persons with disabilities, and students in grades K-12 — for all tickets. Those rates require no changes to Metra’s fare structure and therefore can be implemented immediately. Cook County will cover the difference between the reduced rate and full fares.The project is a priority of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and new Metra Board Chair Romayne C. Brown.
“Metra is excited to work with Cook County to improve public transportation in the region and act as a catalyst for economic development and growth,” Derwinski said in a news release. “We would like to thank President Preckwinkle for her vision and financial support in bringing this project to fruition.” The proposal — which prior to the COVID-19 pandemic also called for increased service on the two Metra lines — has overcome the initial opposition of Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot, who expressed concerns that it would hurt the Chicago Transit Authority [see “Chicago mayor opposes plan for expanded Metra service to South Side,” News Wire, Sept. 19, 2019].
