Metra fare increase.. February 1st.
Why is the need to balance budgets done so on the backs of the poor so prevalent? In a way I see it to be true. The tollway, CTA/Pace and now Metra.. If you aren't a full time member of the club you pay the price.. What gives? Maybe it should have it's own discussion, but knowing is better then not as far as fare increases..
16 percent in the two years!
Metra’s new fare structure begins Feb. 1
Metra’s new fare structure, including adjustments in one-way fares and the first change in the cost of weekend passes since the program began in 1991, begins on Feb. 1. But most Metra riders won’t be affected, because the vast majority of riders use 10-ride tickets and monthly passes, and those fares won’t change.
The changes in the fare structure are intended to encourage customers to use 10-ride tickets and monthly passes, which already offer a significant discount over one-way fares. Those multiple-ride options are easier than ever to purchase on Metra’s new website, which now allows riders to buy 10-ride tickets and monthly passes online with credit and debit cards.
To encourage riders to buy tickets at stations and over the Internet, Metra is increasing the penalty for on-board purchases to $3 from $2. That penalty is not assessed on passengers who board at unmanned stations.
One-way fares are increasing about 6 percent, an average of about 30 cents a ticket. In order to simplify on-board fare collection, the increases have been rounded to the nearest quarter, a practice common to other commuter rail operations in the United States. (Please see the accompanying fare chart.)
Weekend fares are increasing to $7 from $5. This will be the first increase in the existence of the weekend fare program, which started in May 1991. During that time, Metra has raised its general fares four times (in 1996, 2002, 2006 and 2008). Weekend passes are good for unlimited rides on both Saturday and Sunday.
Increases for one-way fares between downtown and the zone indicated:
Zone 2009 2010
A $2.15 $2.25
B $2.35 $2.50
C $3.35 $3.50
D $3.80 $4.00
E $4.30 $4.50
F $4.75 $5.00
G $5.15 $5.50
H $5.65 $6.00
I $6.10 $6.50
J $6.60 $7.00
K $7.05 $7.50
M $8.05 $8.50
http://metrarail.com/metra/en/home/utility_landing/newsroom/newsroo...
16 percent in the two years!
Metra’s new fare structure begins Feb. 1
Metra’s new fare structure, including adjustments in one-way fares and the first change in the cost of weekend passes since the program began in 1991, begins on Feb. 1. But most Metra riders won’t be affected, because the vast majority of riders use 10-ride tickets and monthly passes, and those fares won’t change.
The changes in the fare structure are intended to encourage customers to use 10-ride tickets and monthly passes, which already offer a significant discount over one-way fares. Those multiple-ride options are easier than ever to purchase on Metra’s new website, which now allows riders to buy 10-ride tickets and monthly passes online with credit and debit cards.
To encourage riders to buy tickets at stations and over the Internet, Metra is increasing the penalty for on-board purchases to $3 from $2. That penalty is not assessed on passengers who board at unmanned stations.
One-way fares are increasing about 6 percent, an average of about 30 cents a ticket. In order to simplify on-board fare collection, the increases have been rounded to the nearest quarter, a practice common to other commuter rail operations in the United States. (Please see the accompanying fare chart.)
Weekend fares are increasing to $7 from $5. This will be the first increase in the existence of the weekend fare program, which started in May 1991. During that time, Metra has raised its general fares four times (in 1996, 2002, 2006 and 2008). Weekend passes are good for unlimited rides on both Saturday and Sunday.
Increases for one-way fares between downtown and the zone indicated:
Zone 2009 2010
A $2.15 $2.25
B $2.35 $2.50
C $3.35 $3.50
D $3.80 $4.00
E $4.30 $4.50
F $4.75 $5.00
G $5.15 $5.50
H $5.65 $6.00
I $6.10 $6.50
J $6.60 $7.00
K $7.05 $7.50
M $8.05 $8.50
http://metrarail.com/metra/en/home/utility_landing/newsroom/newsroo...
Views: 366
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Duppie on
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I agree that 16% in two years sounds like a lot, but in the big picture it is still pretty cheap. It's reliable, clean, and frequent (in rush hour), and unlike CTA, I always get a seat
I wouldn't agree with your statement that Metra preys on the poor. The majority of Metra's ridership consists of suburban professionals commuting to work.
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Permalink Reply by Arrak Thumrs on
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I have to agree with Duppie. I don't see Metra as being expensive at all for what it is and does. $7 unlimited weekend fare?? Seriously, even if you use it once it is a bargain. I have always had a pet peeve over news organizations using transit single-fare structures to report fare increases. The nominal fare is determined by the most frequest users (who buy 10-ride or monthly passes). The increase is almost never as significant in these two areas.
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Permalink Reply by Jim "Niterider" on
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Not having a entire train car for bikers that use the train gets me going. In other parts of the country, the whole car is dedicated for storing bikes. Glad they have moved somewhat forward in their thinking a few years ago with letting you bring your full sized bike on board. They have a way to go still for making alot of people with bikes happier. I have been riding the train for 20 plus years and have found that it beats driving to the city any day. The drivers are nuts and seem to not ever do the speed limit or pay attention to what is going around. The majority of the people I see on the train as Duppie mentioned are from the suburbs. Most are well dressed, on computers or cell phones or Blackberrys, reading newspapers slamming coffee. It gets very full by Evanston. Me being from Kenosha, having both the honor and regret of both first (inbound) and last stop (out bound) on the route see this every day.
For the most part a fare increase is necessary to maintain the upkeep of the trains from the constant beating that the trains get every day. Hope they would budget more money for more cars on the train to help get rid of the overcrowding issue. I see the fare increase as a necessary cost of doing business and working in Chicago. $7 dollars for the weekend fair is not too bad if you can figure that you are paying only $1.75 for a ride to Chicago or Kenosha. $3.50 a day is a steal! The worst cost for Metra is the fuel bill after employees. They get the same issues with fuel like the airlines do. They have people that speculate on diesel futures. 1300 gallons a engine takes on when empty. I can not imgaine what it must cost a day for refueling and upkeep of the fleet. Figure in parking, tolls, gas, and the time in traffic, the only way to go is the train.
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Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on
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Jim "Niterider" said:Figure in parking, tolls, gas, and the time in traffic, the only way to go is the train.
Jim, you're forgetting the best part - no potholes on the train tracks! :)
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Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on
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It would be very generous to say that Metra has moved forward in its thinking in regard to bikes.
The naked truth is that Pat Quinn won us access by threatening them with a law suit.
Jim "Niterider" said:Not having a entire train car for bikers that use the train gets me going. In other parts of the country, the whole car is dedicated for storing bikes. Glad they have moved somewhat forward in their thinking a few years ago with letting you bring your full sized bike on board. They have a way to go still for making alot of people with bikes happier. I have been riding the train for 20 plus years and have found that it beats driving to the city any day. The drivers are nuts and seem to not ever do the speed limit or pay attention to what is going around. The majority of the people I see on the train as Duppie mentioned are from the suburbs. Most are well dressed, on computers or cell phones or Blackberrys, reading newspapers slamming coffee. It gets very full by Evanston. Me being from Kenosha, having both the honor and regret of both first (inbound) and last stop (out bound) on the route see this every day.
For the most part a fare increase is necessary to maintain the upkeep of the trains from the constant beating that the trains get every day. Hope they would budget more money for more cars on the train to help get rid of the overcrowding issue. I see the fare increase as a necessary cost of doing business and working in Chicago. $7 dollars for the weekend fair is not too bad if you can figure that you are paying only $1.75 for a ride to Chicago or Kenosha. $3.50 a day is a steal! The worst cost for Metra is the fuel bill after employees. They get the same issues with fuel like the airlines do. They have people that speculate on diesel futures. 1300 gallons a engine takes on when empty. I can not imgaine what it must cost a day for refueling and upkeep of the fleet. Figure in parking, tolls, gas, and the time in traffic, the only way to go is the train.
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Preying was maybe too harsh of a word here, but I agree that the poor tend to get impacted more by increases in the cost of government funded services (whether that is Metra, Medicare, or other benefits). That maybe though because they rely more on this kind of services to begin with.
As far as your comment on infrequent users: Welcome to product marketing 101. Of course companies will reward frequent users by lower trip prices since the cost per trip is also lower. For example they don't incur customer acquisition costs each time a monthly rider takes the train, or have to keep ticket agents on staff for monthly riders. Products that are marketed similar are cell-phones and cable tv. The more you buy of it, the lower the cost per unit. I don't see anything wrong with that.
M.A.R.K. said:I didn't mean that Metra preys on the poor, or anyone else for that matter, but that it seems that that's who always get shafted, the poor and infrequent riders/users. You know, the people who don't have the cash in hand for a 10 ride or monthly pass deals, or people who needed to get home who otherwise wouldn't use the service.
16% percent is huge for two years IMO, and doesn't account for the 2002 and 2006 fare increases(Which I don't have the numbers on). Some folks don't even get that much in their yearly increases at work. If they get a yearly increase.
Duppie said:I agree that 16% in two years sounds like a lot, but in the big picture it is still pretty cheap. It's reliable, clean, and frequent (in rush hour), and unlike CTA, I always get a seat
I wouldn't agree with your statement that Metra preys on the poor. The majority of Metra's ridership consists of suburban professionals commuting to work.
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Clark said:I hope free subsidized transit someday becomes available for all, as a step toward combating Global Warming, the US's massive balance-of-trade deficit, the destruction of our urban neighborhoods, and the country's increasing class segregation and sprawl.
Not sure if they still do it, but Seattle had a system where public transit was free for everybody in the downtown area during rush hour. I believe it was instigated to reduce congestion in downtown Seattle. Only used it once or twice, but it was nice to hop on any bus, without worrying about the cost.
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Permalink Reply by Chris B on
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I hope free subsidized transit someday becomes available for all, as a step toward combating Global Warming
mass transit engines, whether electric or diesel, are incredibly inefficient due to the demands of hauling a huge mass. In fact if everyone drove hybrids instead polllution would be lowered more than if everyone hopped on mass transit. http://www.templetons.com/brad/transit-myth.html
On top of that, they are run when near empty, because they are a public service and the public demands they be run. That will never go away even if you lower the number of train cars and busses run, it will be running around the clock wasting energy.
If it is free, they will demand it even more, since people will use more of a resource if it costs less. Free transportation would mean people travelling even more, increasing the number of trains and busses required, and wiping out any gains you'd make lowering pollution. Because that's how people behave: lower the cost and demand rises. Free public transportation would be the worst thing for the environment you could possibly implement, with damaging unintended consequences.
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Permalink Reply by mike w. on
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Yup, and they cut out the service to Palatine. My daughter depends on the 699 to get to Harper. Sux to us... Usual pattern: ridership is "low", so they reduce service and reduce ridership ever further, eventually killing service altogether. 400 riders marooned here, another 300 folks stranded there-adds up. Big choice: quit your job/school, get a car. If they'd've just held out another month or two, some folks could've taken to the bike. Too damn' cold for most folks right now.
M.A.R.K. said:Bump.. Reminder, fare increases take effect tomorrow..
Also, they are cutting the Pace route(690)that runs by my house completely, and cutting routes that get kids, mothers and fathers to school @ Harper in Palatine.
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=355294
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