In the News

Pioneer Press, August 3, 2011

Fare hikes and service reductions on many train lines could be in store for commuters starting next year, as Metra seeks to reduce a looming $100 million budget deficit.

Metra is proposing possible service reductions on nearly all of its train lines in 2012. Weekday and weekend service reductions are planned on the Milwaukee District North Line and the Union Pacific North Line, as well as a reduced weekday schedule on the North Central Service line.

The news of the proposed service reductions and fare hikes has stunned many local officials.

“I think it’s been a surprise to many people, I’m asking them to justify these service reductions and fare increases,” said State Sen. Susan Garrett, D-Lake Forest, who held a hearing in Chicago with State Sen. Martin Sandoval, D-Chicago, on Metra’s proposed service cuts and rate hikes.

Metra’s plan calls for eliminating one morning inbound and one evening outbound train on the North Central line, which runs between Antioch and Chicago, and has stops in several Lake County communities including Libertyville, Mundelein, Vernon Hills, Buffalo Grove, as well as O’Hare International Airport. The plan would also eliminate two evening trains on the Union Pacific North line, which runs from Kenosha to Chicago, and includes stops in Zion, Waukegan, North Chicago, Lake Forest, Highland Park, Northbrook and Evanston.

Four weekday trains would also be eliminated on the Milwaukee District North line. That line runs from Fox Lake to Chicago and includes stops in Grayslake, Libertyville, Lake Forest, Deerfield, Northbrook and Glenview.

Metra is also proposing reducing weekend service on the Milwaukee District North line, Union Pacific North line and SouthWest Service and eliminating extra service for Bears and White Sox games.

In addition to proposed service cuts, Metra is looking at potential rate increases of up to 20 percent.

Metra officials say they are looking at the proposed service reductions or fare hikes as a way to reduce a looming $100 million budget shortfall next year. Metra said several factors have contributed to the projected deficit, including higher-than-projected costs of diesel fuel, lower-than-expected sales tax revenues due to the sluggish economy, changes in the fare requirements by the Regional Transportation Authority, and a backlog of capital improvements such as replacement of old track or train cars and other equipment upgrades.

Metra spokesman Michael Gillis said none of the proposed changes are set in set in stone at this point and the Metra board is exploring different options to reduce the budget shortfall. The board will begin discussing those options at its Aug. 12 board meeting at its headquarters in Chicago.

Gillis said the board is seeking input from the public during the process. He said Metra is seeking comments through a survey on its Web site at www.metrarail.com. He said public hearings will also likely be scheduled in the northern suburbs in the coming weeks to get more public feedback on the proposed changes.