Commuters Feel Pinch of Metra Fare Hike
New price structure started Wednesday.
Photos
Some Highland Park and Deerfield commuters will be making personal adjustments when Metra’s new pricing structure becomes effective today while others are taking it in stride.
Linda Rongey of Highland Park just got a job in the city and was looking forward to commuting to work on a train rather than taking her car every day. She will feel the pinch of the higher prices.
“I have two kids, one in college and one in the Marines (who just graduated). This is going to make things harder,” Rongey said. “I was looking forward to taking the train. It drops me off right in front (of the new job).”
Robert Feiger of Deerfield, who takes the train to Chicago on a regular basis, can afford the hike but feels for those who cannot. “Thirty-five percent is a bit expensive.” he said. Is it too much? “No, not for me, but it’s going to be too much for others.”
The monthly fare for people commuting from the Highland Park Metra Station to downtown Chicago goes from $116.10 per month to $149.50, according to Metra's website. The 10-ride ticket price becomes $47.25 rather than $36.65. A one-ride fare is now $5.25 rather than $4.50.
“It’s still the cheapest way to get downtown,” Gary Holzman of Deerfield said echoing the view of many at the station Tuesday morning. “It’s been a few years (since the last increase). Hopefully this will be the last increase for many years.”
For others, like Vlad Lutsker of Buffalo Grove who commutes to Chicago from Deerfield on a daily basis, it will make a difference. “I have no choice,” he said. “I may have to cut back on cable television.”
The increase became necessary because Metra has been operating at a loss for several years. It has taken money from its capital reserves to meet operating expenses, according to Reile.
“If we keep doing that we won’t have the money to make necessary repairs to trains and the track,” Reile said. “It was going to become too big a hole to fill.”
Last year, Metra surveyed its riders to determine if they would rather have a smaller increase with a reduction of service or maintain the current level of service with a bigger hike. “No one wanted service cuts,” Reile said.
Commuters like Maria Wisniewski of Deerfield understand and accept the situation. “I feel it’s necessary,” she said. “I’m willing to do my part.”
Another person who understands the necessity of the increase is David Kolton of Deerfield. He understands the price of oil is up, but he and his family will not have as much to spend. “Yea, sure,” he said about the effect of the new prices. “There will be less money for my family.
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Michael
10:08 am on Thursday, February 2, 2012
The article is accurate...but leaves out some info that was reported by Metra...and, on local news the other night. Metra is dealing with big costs being dealt to them in terms of meeting new federal regulations they are having to adhere to and new fed taxes being assessed.
Bryce Robertson
8:45 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
Michael - maybe if Metra employees did their jobs, Metra wouldn't be having such horrible financial difficulties. I don't ride the train all that often (but will be a daily commuter this summer), but the last five times I've ridden roundtrip, I have had to pay only twice. A 20% fee collection rate is not something Metra should be proud of. I've also dealt with rude and ignorant conductors who aren't familiar with Metra's posted fare rules and regulations. So, if they want to raise rates, how about taking lessons from Boston's commuter rail line (one of the best I've ever ridden) and providing better service to the commuters first. Then they can talk about raising rates to the point where paying for it is worth it!
Bryce Robertson
8:46 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
Let me clarify one thing - I am fully aware there are some excellent conductors on Metra's trains. I've only experienced a few myself, but am told that on some of the lines, the conductors pride themselves on excellent service for their passengers. However, they need to focus on putting together an "A" team, and having this many "B" players is not going to help them.
Mosaic53
12:00 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
It's a decent size hike - one that might not have been felt as much had they not waited do long to do so. I commuted to the city from HP for a long time. It is still a more economical mode than gas, parking, wear and tear on vehicle not to mention the daily stress.
NS
10:45 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
Indeed, Mr. Robertson. Perhaps putting yourself in the "B" players shoes for 30 plus years would give you a better and more honest perspective of how to do someone's job. Or is that not your thing?
Bryce Robertson
7:14 am on Friday, February 3, 2012
I'm not sure your point here. I never stated that I would be any good at their job, thus why I'm not seeking a job as a train conductor. What I did say was that if Metra likes to profess that they are suffering from such financial hardship, they should first look internally and find the problem. Imagine if, say, the government decided to raise taxes because they found it easier to tax the paying customers more versus chasing after those who decided not to pay. How would people react then? It's the same concept.
NS
9:03 am on Friday, February 3, 2012
"but the last five times I've ridden roundtrip, I have had to pay only twice."
Did you think of approaching a conductor and giving them your fair for your ticket?
Bryce Robertson
2:16 pm on Friday, February 3, 2012
First off, that is not my job as a rider to abandon a seat to find a conductor. Secondly, often I never even see them in my train car. I don't ride the train for fun, I ride it when I have to. If they went to electronic collection there wouldn't be an issue. Like I said, use Boston as an example. Actually, if I'm not mistaken, the CTA and Metra have to switch to a universal ticket system by 2013, eliminating this issue.