Metra Fare Increase? Public Hearings in North Suburbs

Metra will host a public meeting at the Arlington Heights village hall later today to get feedback from the community on Metra’s capital funding priorities, which could increase train fares.

An additional meeting for the public will be held at Grayslake Village Hall, 10 S. Seymour Ave. Grayslake, Thursday Nov. 8 also from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.

According to Metra, several scenarios have been proposed to increase fares or change fare policies in order to generate necessary capital funding.

The various scenarios outline the capital dollars that could be generated through a 1 percent or more hike in the base fare and/or through changes in the prices of ten-ride and monthly tickets.

Currently, a ten-ride ticket is priced at the cost of nine one-way fares and a monthly ticket is priced at the cost of 28.5 one-way fares. The fare increase would generate approximately $3 million for the capital program.

Before the board votes on a final budget plan Friday, Nov. 16, Metra has planned a series of public meetings to gain input from oh public on the 2013 preliminary budget.

North and Northwest suburban Cook County residents are invited to attend the public meeting at the Arlington Heights village hall board/community room, at 33 S. Arlington Heights Road , from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. to discuss the 2013 Metra budget plan. 

An additional meeting for the public will be held at Grayslake Village Hall, 10 S. Seymour Ave. Grayslake, Thursday Nov. 8 also from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Click here to read more about Metra's 2013 preliminary budget and 2014-2015 financial plan. 

Metra is also looking for feedback from riders on the capital improvement plan. To take a survey, click here. 

Information provided by Metra.

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