What about the other Chicago area transit agencies

The CTA gets more press with regards to the whole transit situation playing out in Springfield as lawmakers there continue to hammer out a budget. Now they're trying to figure out how to fund the CTA, Metra and Pace. We about know how the CTA will fare. What about Metra.?

From Crain's...

Metra riders could face 10% fare hikes or the loss of Sunday service next year under budgets proposed Thursday by the commuter rail system’s top official.

Under one proposal, Metra would raise all-day weekend fares to $7 from $5 along with the 10% fare hike, Executive Director Philip Pagano said at special Metra board meeting.

Under the other proposal, fares would jump 5% and Sunday service would be eliminated, while all-day fares on Saturday would increase to $7 from $5.

In both scenarios, Metra commuters would face dirtier trains as the agency would cut some janitorial services as well as 100 administrative positions. Additionally, both budgets call for 10% fare hikes in 2009 and 2010.

In adopting either proposal, Metra would “head back to the dismal days of 1983,” when the commuter rail line was “an economic and service disaster,” Mr. Pagano said.