Metra, Illinois' commuter rail agency, has given a thumbs up to its proposed budget for next year, but riders will have to wait a bit longer to see any service cuts or fare hikes. The $1.2 billion budget, approved by the agency's board of directors on Thursday, largely maintains the status quo with plans for "modest service increases."
While Metra faces challenges in expanding its services, CEO Jim Derwinski is optimistic about the agency's prospects. He notes that while the last three months have been tough, the next decade will require sustained effort to build a more expansive and improved system. However, he cautions that this won't be an easy process.
The proposed budget takes into account $1.5 billion in transit funding passed by lawmakers in Springfield, which will help Metra overcome its impending deficit when federal COVID-19 funds run out next year. Although the agency is receiving nearly $28 million in additional money next year, it's also losing nearly $20 million due to canceling a previously planned fare increase.
The Regional Transportation Authority had initially required a fare hike across all agencies, but lawmakers successfully lobbied for a one-year exemption from the requirement. Metra and Pace are among the agencies that have passed their budgets without any fare hikes. CTA also approved its budget on Wednesday with no changes to fares.
Despite this progress, the transit bill's limitations on using operational funds for capital construction projects still pose significant challenges for Metra. The agency plans to use its remaining pandemic grant money and then rely on state funding to kick in from 2027 onwards. While specifics about future service expansions are scarce, the proposed budget aims to address pressing issues such as crowded trains, long service gaps, and inconsistent service.
Metra's CFO John Morris expresses confidence about the agency's financial stability moving forward, thanks to the new state funding. He notes that while more money will enable them to do more, they're well-positioned to navigate the state's financial realities. Pace also passed its budget without a fare hike, with plans to use an additional $19 million in state funds for its Rideshare and Taxi access programs and expanded suburban bus services.
While Metra faces challenges in expanding its services, CEO Jim Derwinski is optimistic about the agency's prospects. He notes that while the last three months have been tough, the next decade will require sustained effort to build a more expansive and improved system. However, he cautions that this won't be an easy process.
The proposed budget takes into account $1.5 billion in transit funding passed by lawmakers in Springfield, which will help Metra overcome its impending deficit when federal COVID-19 funds run out next year. Although the agency is receiving nearly $28 million in additional money next year, it's also losing nearly $20 million due to canceling a previously planned fare increase.
The Regional Transportation Authority had initially required a fare hike across all agencies, but lawmakers successfully lobbied for a one-year exemption from the requirement. Metra and Pace are among the agencies that have passed their budgets without any fare hikes. CTA also approved its budget on Wednesday with no changes to fares.
Despite this progress, the transit bill's limitations on using operational funds for capital construction projects still pose significant challenges for Metra. The agency plans to use its remaining pandemic grant money and then rely on state funding to kick in from 2027 onwards. While specifics about future service expansions are scarce, the proposed budget aims to address pressing issues such as crowded trains, long service gaps, and inconsistent service.
Metra's CFO John Morris expresses confidence about the agency's financial stability moving forward, thanks to the new state funding. He notes that while more money will enable them to do more, they're well-positioned to navigate the state's financial realities. Pace also passed its budget without a fare hike, with plans to use an additional $19 million in state funds for its Rideshare and Taxi access programs and expanded suburban bus services.
they'll probs just use it to fix those crowded trains n make service gaps less frequent, not raise fares or cut services 
anyway, i think its cool dat metra's CEO jim is all optimistic about buildin a better system 4 the future 
. They get billions of bucks but can't even make ends meet? It's like they're playing a game of Monopoly with their own money 
. And don't even get me started on the trains being crowded 
. I mean, come on guys, you gotta increase fares or cut service somehow. The status quo ain't working out for them 
. Maybe they should've thought that one through before accepting all those funds 
.
Metra is finally getting some financial stability 
. But let's be real, we still have a looong way to go 
. All those crowded trains and long service gaps? Yeah, that's not exactly what I'd call "modest service increases" 
. Fingers crossed they can deliver on their promises! 
! Metra's CEO is totally right tho, it'll take a lot of effort to expand their services, but at least the budget gives them a chance to make some progress. The $1.5 billion in transit funding is a big deal, I mean who wouldn't want more money for public transport? 
It's all about kicking the can down the road till the next crisis hits. I mean, what's the point of having a plan if you're just gonna cancel it later? 
metra's trying to make the most of the situation but it's still gonna be tough 
and now they're stuck in limbo because of those state funds 
it's not all bad news tho... pace is doing their own thing and expanding their services 
. With the new state funding, though, maybe we'll see some actual progress by 2027 
? Only time (and a lot of planning) will tell!
. Like, what's the big deal? We're just gonna keep on waiting for more money to come through before they can even think about making any real changes. I mean, $28 million next year is cute and all, but it's just a drop in the bucket when you've got a deficit looming over your head. And don't even get me started on the fact that we're still stuck in this status quo of "modest service increases". Can't they just make some real progress for once? It feels like we're getting nowhere fast 
.
they're tryin hard to make things better 
there's still so much work to be done, like expandin services and dealin with crowded trains 
i feel for the riders who have to wait a bit longer for changes 
but at least they're gettin some state funding which is awesome 
so i'm hopin he can make it all work 
. The $1.2 billion might seem like a lot, but it's actually gonna be a challenge to see any meaningful changes or expansions in the next few years... I mean, we're still waiting for answers on what's gonna happen after 2027 when that state funding kicks in 
. And yeah, it's good that they're not planning on cutting services or raising fares right now... that would just hurt people even more 
. Metra's got their work cut out for them, but I'm rooting for 'em 
. LIKE, CAN'T THEY JUST USE THOSE Funds ALREADY? 
. ANYWAY, AT LEAST THE Regional Transportation Authority is trying to help out with the $1.5 BILLION IN TRANSIT FUNDING 
. LET'S HOPE METRA CAN DELIVER ON THOSE PROMISES AND MAKE SOME REAL PROGRESS IN THE NEXT DECADE 
. but hey, at least there's no fare hike in sight for Metra & Pace riders which is something! 
. They're not gonna cut services or raise fares anytime soon... at least not for now 
. The agency's been feeling the pinch, but they've got some extra cash coming their way from lawmakers and are hoping to make the most of it 