Biden extends transit mask mandate by 1 month

By Dylan Sharkey

03/11/2022

Travelers on planes, buses and other public transportation will have to stay masked until April 18. The federal mandate was to expire March 18.

TAGS: Amtrak, CTA: Chicago Transit Authority, Joe Biden, mask mandate, Metra

Metra ridership down 97% from COVID-19

05/26/2020

Very few people have been commuting to work since Illinois’ stay-at-home order began at the end of March, which could mean tax and fare troubles are ahead for Chicago’s mass transit.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, Metra

Taxpayer victory: General Assembly passes bill restricting golden parachutes for government officials

By Vincent Caruso, Chris Lentino

05/29/2018

Senate Bill 3604 would limit government workers’ ability to collect extravagant severance packages, also known as “golden parachutes,” on their way out of office.

TAGS: Alex Clifford, College of DuPage, Doug Baker, Metra, NIU: Northern Illinois University, pensions, Robert Breuder, salaries, Tom Cullerton

The ‘magic’ of Metra: Higher costs, lower service

By Chris Lentino

12/19/2017

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

TAGS: Metra, transportation

Metra board approves fare hike, fourth consecutive year of increased fares

By Brendan Bakala

11/13/2017

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.

TAGS: fees, Metra, RTA: Regional Transportation Authority