CHICAGO — Metra plans a fare increase as part of its proposed 2026 budget, a $1.1 million plan that includes other measures to address a projected $68 million funding shortfall but no cuts in service.
The commuter rail agency’s announcement today (Oct. 10, 2025) also includes a proposed $575.3 million capital plan continuing Metra’s work to address bridge, station, and rolling-stock needs. That is in part because Metra has stretched the last of its federal COVID relief funding — once expected to run out in 2025 — to last through most of 2026, Executive Director/CEO Jim Derwinski writes in a message accompanying the full budget proposal.
Derwinski’s message says the proposal “is not the budget Metra wants to implement in 2026. But it is the budget we have to propose,” noting that state lawmakers have yet to address the agency’s funding shortfall. “Because there is no solution yet, the RTA instructed us to propose a budget only with our known funding sources. That is what we have done here. But because a solution could be forthcoming” — a reference to possible legislative action during a veto session later this month — “the RTA also told us to include a scenario in which the Legislature approves at least enough new funding to maintain the status quo.” Either way, he notes, the RTA is requiring Metra to increase fares by at least 10%; the Chicago Transit Authority and bus operator Pace face a similar requirement
Eight hearings on the budget plan will be in early November prior to the Metra board’s vote on the proposal. That includes a Nov. 5 hearing at Metra headquarters that will be livesteamed and will have provisions for online participation. The 2026 proposal is approximately $18 million, or 1.7%, lower than the 2025 budget.
The proposed fare increases — mandated by Metra’s parent, the Regional Transportation Authority, to address the ongoing funding deficit — would be effective Feb. 1, 2026 and will range from 13% to 15%, depending on the type of fare involved. Sample new fares would include one-way single-ticket increases of 50 cents to $1, depending on the number of fare zones involved; increases of $1 to $2 for day passes (including the one- and two-day weekend passes) and $10 to $30 for monthly passes. A more detailed listing of the proposed fares is available in this press release.
Rolling-stock expenditures account for $268.2 million of the capital plan, or more than 46% of the total $575.2 million. That includes $141 million for new rolling stock — part of the $490.9 million order for new multilevel cars from Alstom approved in 2021, as well as the $168.2 million order for eight battery-electric trainsets from Stadler. Also in the capital plan is $93.6 million for new locomotives, $26.6 million for renovation of existing railcars, and $9.5 million for locomotive rehab projects.
Other aspects of the capital plan include $68.4 million for bridges, track, and structures; $59.9 million for stations and parking; $59.1 million for signal, electrical, and communications projects; $27.3 million for facilities and equipment, such as new crew facilities and preliminary engineering for future projects; and $92.3 million for support activities, including staffing and oversight administration for the capital projects.
Hearings planned for Nov. 5-6
Two days of two-hour hearings are planned at locations around the Metra system for public comment on the budget proposal. This includes the Nov. 5 hearing at Metra headquarters, to be held from 4-6 p.m. and available online via Microsoft Teams. The press release cited above includes details on how to participate online.
Other hearings on Nov. 5, also from 4-6 p.m., will be held at Joliet City Hall in Will County; Clarendon Hills Village Hall in DuPage County; and Mundelein Village Hall in Lake County. On Nov. 6 at 4-6 p.m., hearings will be at Homewood Village Hall in South Suburban Cook County; the Hanover Park Police Department in North Suburban Cook County; the Kane County Government Center in Geneva, and the Crystal Lake City Hall in McHenry County.
Comments will also be accepted by mail (to the attention of Lori Ray, Executive Administrative Assistant, External Affairs, Floor 13, at Metra Headquarters, 547 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60661); voice mail (at 312-322-1006); and email (to 2026budgetcomments@metrarr.com) .
