CHICAGO (CBS) — Commuters in the Chicago area could soon see the future of their Metra routes in jeopardy, as officials say the commuter rail system is on the brink of a financial cliff.
Metra is operating with federal pandemic funds, which will run out in 2026.
While a $1.1 billion budget for 2025 was just approved by the Metra board, Metra needs solutions by 2027 before riders bear the brunt of their financial woes.
“The number we’re throwing around mathematically is a 40% reduction in service to close the budget gap in ’27,” Metra Executive Director Jim Derwinski said during a board meeting Thursday.
By 2026, Metra’s budget gap will be $221 million; in 2027 this will be $332 million.
“Remember, we actually have COVID money in ’26 that will take us into the second quarter; in ’27 there will be no more COVID money left,” Derwinski said.
“Is there a plan for the fiscal cliff, or are we just going to keep saying the fiscal cliff is coming?” Said Stephen Palmer, who serves on Metra’s board of directors.
The plan is to wait for Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s budget proposal in February to see how they can fill and reduce spending. Some options include a reduction in spending, other people’s money, more money from the state, and higher rates.
“The cliff is so terrible right now that all these things need to be put on the table,” said professor and transportation expert Joe Schwieterman of DePaul University. “Springfield is really going to be pushed into action to really find a way to help because the entire state is going to be affected.”
Schwieterman said the threat of such cuts creates uncertainty about the role transportation plays in the region.
“It’s really going to cause anxiety for a lot of travelers, a lot of people who spend time downtown,” he said. “Our transit system will be completely undermined if these kinds of cuts happen.”
Passengers say they will also feel the impact if fares are increased again after the new fare came into effect on February 1.
“I feel like they just raised the rates. So that’s going to be a problem, you know?’ said Janis Rohrer. “It’s just getting more and more expensive to travel to the center.”
“Unfortunately it would be very hard for the riders. It is already not on time and there are a lot of delays,” said Vlada Ivanova, “and if it becomes even more expensive, then unfortunately many people will not do it.” to ride.”
The administration hopes to have a resolution by June, after they know whether the Illinois General Assembly can include transit funding in the state budget.
In the meantime, Metra is talking to fellow agencies in other major cities to see how they have found workarounds to the same financial problems.
