Chicago’s metropolitan commuter rail operator, Metra, approved a USD 1.06 billion budget that provides USD 781.2 million for operating costs and USD 279.5 million for capital improvements in 2017.
The budget increases fare revenue by 5.8 percent to generate USD 16.1 million for the agency’s huge capital needs.
For 2017, the capital budget totals USD 279.5 million and includes USD 90.5 million for rolling stock to continue the program to rehabilitate 18 locomotives and 43 railcars annually and a portion of funding to purchase 21 new railcars.
The 2017 operating budget increases costs by USD 21.4 million or 2.8 percent over 2016. Key drivers of 2017 operating cost changes include a projected savings of USD 9 million in diesel fuel prices locked in 2016. Metra also anticipates a USD 4.7 million increase in training and mechanical costs, a USD 2.6 million increase in Positive Train Control (PTC) operating costs, a USD 2.8 million increase in materials and services costs and a USD 1.2 million increase for the Safety and Police Departments.
For 2017, Metra is expecting to receive USD 175 million from federal sources and USD 72.4 million from the RTA for its capital needs. It is anticipating no new capital money from the state of Illinois.
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