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Metra today proposed a 2025 operating budget of $1.135 billion that holds fares steady at current levels and relies on strong sales tax revenues and a dwindling allotment of federal COVID-relief aid to cover the expected growth in expenses. It also proposed a $366.4 million capital plan that continues major investment in bridges, stations, and new and rehabilitated rolling stock.
The plans will be the subject of public feedback, including hearings (see schedule below), before the Metra Board of Directors votes in November.
“After the major fare policy and fare purchasing changes that we asked our customers to accept in last year’s budget, our proposal for 2025 could be classified as ‘status quo,’” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Jim Derwinski. “But unless the Legislature solves the fiscal cliff that’s looming in our 2026 budget, we may look back on the 2025 version as the calm before the storm.”
The proposed operating budget includes about $65 million in costs associated with a capacity expansion on the Metra Electric Line for the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, which NICTD is covering. Excluding those costs, the budget is about 4.1% higher than the 2024 budget, largely due to expected inflationary, contractual and market increases. It includes additional spending related to new regulations and related training, upgrades to Metra’s Positive Train Control safety system related to heightened cybersecurity risks, and increased costs related to marketing.
The budget is funded by system-generated revenue of $304.1 million, including $184.2 million in fares, based on a projection that ridership will grow about 7% in 2025 to 39 million passenger trips. It also is funded by $592.5 million in regional sale tax receipts and $238.4 million out of Metra’s remaining $331.8 million in federal COVID-relief funding.
The COVID-relief funding, approved by Washington to help transit agencies cope with the pandemic-related drop in ridership and fare revenue, is expected to run out in 2026 at Metra, CTA and Pace. Lawmakers in Springfield are aware of the impending problem and have begun to work on potential solutions.
The proposed $366.4 million capital program allocated $93.8 million to rolling stock; $101.8 million to bridges, track, and structures; $39.2 million to signal, electrical, and communication; $57 million to facilities and equipment; $34.9 million to stations and parking; and $39.8 million to support activities.
The capital program is funded with $242.3 million in federal formula funding, $29 million in federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds, $88.6 million in state PAYGO funds, and $6.5 million in RTA Innovation, Coordination and Enhancement (ICE) funds.
Public hearings about the budget will be held throughout the region on Nov. 6 and 7 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. The schedule is below. The City of Chicago hearing can also be attended virtually via Microsoft Teams. Instructions for attending the virtual hearing, and for submitting budget comments via mail, email, or voicemail, are also below. A copy of the proposed budget can be found here.
FY2025 Metra Proposed Program and Budget Public Hearing Schedule
Wednesday, November 6
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Will County
Joliet City Hall
Council Chambers
150 W. Jefferson Street
Joliet
DuPage County
Clarendon Hills Village Hall
Village Board Room
One North Prospect Avenue
Clarendon Hills
City of Chicago
Metra
Board Room 13th floor
547 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago
The Chicago Public Hearing will be livestreamed and available for virtual participation via Microsoft Teams. See instructions below.
Lake County
Mundelein Village Hall
Village Board Room
300 Plaza Circle
Mundelein
Thursday, November 7
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
South Suburban Cook County
Homewood Village Hall
Village Board Room
2020 Chestnut Road
Homewood
Kane County
Kane County Government Center
Building A – 1st Floor Auditorium
719 South Batavia Avenue
Geneva
North Suburban Cook County
Hanover Park Police Department
Community Room
2011 Lake Street
Hanover Park
McHenry County
Crystal Lake City Hall
City Council Chambers
100 West Woodstock Street
Crystal Lake
Nov. 6 Virtual Public Hearing
Any person may present views orally in person at a hearing or by participating in the virtual public hearing on Nov. 6. Preregistration is not required. Please follow the instructions below to join the virtual meeting from your laptop or desktop. If you do not wish to access the virtual meeting from a laptop or desktop, you must download the Microsoft Teams App to your mobile device or join by phone as outlined below.
- Step 1: Log on to your laptop/desktop computer and click to open a webpage browser (such as Safari, Mozilla, Google Chrome, etc.).
- Step 2: Once on the home page of your web browser, please enter the following web address: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/join-a-meeting in the internet browser search bar on top of the browser homepage.
- Step 3: You will be prompted to enter the meeting ID number: 226 467 320 747
- Step 4: You will then be prompted to enter the meeting password: JK45tu. Then press “Join a meeting”.
Follow these steps on Wednesday, Nov. 6, between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to present your comments. The virtual public hearing can also be attended by dialing toll free (773) 917-7796 and entering access code: 520 369 647# or by submitting written material at any time, but not later than 24 hours after the conclusion of the hearings on Nov. 7, 2024.
Mail, Voicemail, and Email Comments
Written comments via U.S. mail can be sent to the attention of Kim Borges, Executive Administrative Assistant, External Affairs, Floor 13, 547 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois, 60661. Comments will also be accepted via voicemail to (312) 322-1006, or email to: 2025budgetcomments@metrarr.com. The virtual public hearing will be recorded, and a copy will be retained by Metra in compliance with Illinois law.