CHICAGO — Locked into what officials call an “unsustainable” economic model, officials at Chicago’s commuter railroad approved a 2018 budget that includes service cuts and a fare increase — the fourth in four years…
http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2017/11/14-metra-fare-increases
Takes money to run transportation systems.
Chicago fares are still way lower then NY State Metro-North or Philly Septa. 7.00 for a 2 day weekend pass vs 12.00 for a Septa Liberty Pass.
Metra and the RTA depend on sales tax for funding. Given the diversion of retail sales to the internet, the tax base is not sufficient to keep up.
Drive to suberban Indiana to do most of my familys shopping for Thanksgiving. (Family in Riverdale IL)
The weekend pass was $8. Going up to $10. No longer a bargain for short round trips. Still a good deal for longer or multiple runs though.