Costs for Metra's administrative workers, including managers, lawyers, accountants and IT specialists went up 54 percent over the last five years.

The increase comes after last year’s hike, which cost yearlong commuters an extra $141 annually for their monthly passes. Metra officials have not ruled out further fare hikes or service cuts.

Blaming Illinois state budget cuts, Metra considers raising fares in 2018, despite previous fare schedule.

Metra officials say they’ve reduced the cost of the lobbyist firms’ contracts by bringing down monthly retainer costs by 15 percent.

Metra’s plans to raise fares go into effect February, hurting commuters and failing to raise enough for stated capital needs.

Metra CEO Don Orseno is set to receive a pay increase a month after Metra’s fare hike.