Metra’s capital budget has received a significant boost from the new Illinois state capital programme, which is expected to make nearly $US 1.45bn available over the next five years. Combined with $US 961.8m in expected federal formula funding, $US 146m from the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), $US 26m in fare revenue and $US 4m from other sources, Metra is anticipated to receive $US 2.6bn to invest over the next five years.

In 2020, Metra expects to receive $US 205.2m in state bond funds and $US 73.7m in state “pay-as-you-go” or “Paygo” funding, an annual allotment of funding tied to the state fuel tax that will grow with inflation. Funding from federal ($US 186.7m) and local ($US 14.9m) sources will provide additional capital funding in 2020, bringing the total to $US 480.5m.

The budget proposes allocating $US 331.1m, two-thirds of the 2020 capital funds, on five major areas:

New coaches and locomotives ($US 138.8m). Metra has issued a request for proposals for up to 400 new coaches, and has asked manufacturers to propose new designs that maximise capacity and improve customer comfort. It also is purchasing newly-refurbished locomotives and has set aside funds to purchase a prototype alternative-fuel locomotive.

Locomotive and coach refurbishment ($US 95.3m). Metra will continue its locomotive and coach refurbishmentprogrammes, and will also will fund new programmes to overhaul 21 recently-purchased Amtrak locomotives and upgrade 54 locomotives with more reliable AC traction motors.

Stations and parking ($US 51.2m). Metra is undertaking major station upgrades, with an emphasis on improving accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility and ensuring that every station has a warming shelter. Major projects included in the 2020 programme include a new Auburn Park station on the Rock Island Line, along with major upgrades to 147th Street station on the Metra Electric Line and Hubbard Woods on the UP North Line.

Yard rehabilitation ($US 23.2m). Major projects are funded to expand the Western Avenue Yard, which services trains on the Milwaukee District lines, the North Central Service and Heritage Corridor, and the California Avenue Yard which services trains on the UP lines. Metra says a lack of yard space is a factor limiting its ability to increase services.

Bridges ($US 22.6m). The operator has nearly 500 bridges that are more than 100 years old. The funding will be used to design and construct the replacement of several bridges, including the next phase of the UP North Bridge project involving the design for the replacement of bridges over 11 streets between Fullerton and Addison in Chicago.

Operating budget

In an effort to avoid increasing fares, Metra has identified nearly $US 6m in efficiencies this year, and also expects to save around $US 7m by not filling vacancies and around $US 5m by reducing overtime and other expenses.

This $US 18m reduction will partially offset an expected $US 23m increase in operating expenses next year, including about $US 7m in new operating expenses associated with PTC, and about $US 16m in labour and operating expenses.

Metra expects its overall operating budget to increase by $US 5m next year from $US 822m in 2019 to $US 827m. Higher revenues from the regional transport sales tax, which funds about half of Metra’s operating budget, will cover the additional $US 5m, avoiding a fare increase.

The budget will be presented at a series of eight public hearings throughout the Chicago area on November 4 and 5.