Metra will crack down on conductors
There are no decisions yet on whether to go with fare hikes, service cuts or both, but Metra directors did agree Friday it’s time to crack down on conductors who don’t collect fares.
Facing a $100 million deficit by 2013, officials picked up from July’s meeting where solutions to ongoing budget problems included eliminating train trips on each line to save $8 million.
Some Metra directors also urged Executive Director Alex Clifford to lock in volatile diesel fuel prices — one cause of the budget gap — for up to 18 months.
A number of directors spoke out against service reductions altogether, which could mean the agency opts for a less Draconian measure — eliminating some weekend trains on the Union Pacific North, Milwaukee North and Southwest Service lines, saving about $900,000.
Meanwhile, as diesel fuel hovers in the $3- to $4-a-gallon range, riders could see fare hikes of 17 percent to 18 percent next year and 8 percent in 2013.
The board did not vote on any recommendations but is expected to act in November after hearings on a preliminary budget.
“Our preference is not to make any service cuts,” Director Jim LaBelle of Lake County said.
A rider survey showed 34 percent of commuters would accept a 20 percent fare hike if it meant minimal service cuts compared to 35 strongly opposed. Nearly 75 percent said maintaining current levels of trains was important. And, 62 percent of respondents said Metra would still be cheaper than driving even with a 20 percent boost in tickets.
Diesel fuel has jumped from an average of $1.69 a gallon in 2009 to $3.05 in 2011. If the agency locks in prices for a year or so, “we’ll be heroes if it goes up and criticized if it goes down,” Clifford said.
One likely scenario is a dual approach — locking in prices for part of the fuel the agency intends to purchase.
“We’ll continue to monitor the situation and make the best business decision we can,” Clifford said
Agency officials said they won’t be using as many consultants in 2012, which will cut expenses, and they also promised to investigate tips from riders that some conductors are not collecting fares.
“How many riders are riding for free?” Director Jack Schaffer said. “We seriously need to get a handle on this.”
Clifford estimated the problem involved a small number of conductors but said he would send staff members undercover to see how widespread abuses are.
Directors also disputed a proposal to take about $10 million from the capital fund, which pays for infrastructure, improvements and upgrades, to help balance the operating budget in 2012.
“We need to stop doing that,” Director Jack Partelow of Naperville said.
One service reduction plan getting serious consideration would drop two round-trip trains Saturdays and one round-trip on Sundays on both the Milwaukee North and Union Pacific lines. The proposal also involves eliminating certain trips on the Southwest Service.