No fare hikes as Metra relishes capital infusion

After years of gloomy budget forecasts, Metra riders Wednesday received a reprieve from fare hikes in 2020.

The railroad has an estimated $1.45 billion in new money coming from the state over five years, courtesy of a capital program enabled by a variety of tax increases.

That means passengers should expect fewer breakdowns and a less Spartan commute in the future as Metra expedites replacement of its vintage fleet, officials said.

”We now have a significant infusion of dollars to help us begin to attack our backlog,” Executive Director Jim Derwinski said. “One intent … is to go ahead and execute a contract on a large car purchase to replace some of our oldest” rail cars.

Wednesday’s board meeting was the public’s first look at Metra’s proposed budget, which will be voted on in November.

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