New Year’s Eve is one of the biggest drinking nights of the year, so the threat of drinking and driving rises naturally. The CTA is offering a safer option tonight, as WLS-AM reports today, all bus and train rides will be free between 10 PM tonight until 4 AM tomorrow morning. The free rides this year are sponsored by MillerCoors.
Still there is some bummer news coming for public transit commuters in Chicago and beyond.
Pace regular and paratransit rides are going to be a quarter more per trip, starting on Monday. CTA riders will have to pay an extra quarter a ride starting Thursday, Jan. 7. Metra’s increases start on Monday Feb. 5, with monthly passes rising $9 to $12.50 and 10-ride passes will go up anywhere from $4.25 to $7.75, depending on the length of the trip. Metra also planning to cut some service. So getting around without a car is going to be a bit pricier.
This is the first time since 2009 that CTA, Pace, and Metra have all risen their fares at the same time.
Don’t worry car drivers some new hassles with new construction projects on local roadways are coming your way as well. The Chicago Tribune’s Mary Wisnewski has the full story here.
