HAMMOND – The Northern Indiana Commuter Transit District’s proposed 10 percent to 14 percent fare hike brought a small but extremely vocal group opposed to it.
Five people showed up to NICTD’s public hearing on the increase at the Hammond Public Library Tuesday night to hear why the increase is needed, according to to NICTD. The increase will hit East Chicago and Hammond commuters the hardest, increasing their fares to $6 per one-way fare, up from $5.25; and $8 for on-board fares, or those fares purchased on the train from a conductor when other purchase methods, such as a ticket attendant or the rail line’s mobile app, could’ve been used.
If approved at the May 29 board meeting, the new fares would take effect July 1, NICTD Marketing Director John Parsons said.
The fare increases come at a time where the district is facing an unfunded federal mandate, NICTD General Manager Michael Noland said. The Federal Railroad Administration is requiring that commuter rail lines implement a system called positive train control, a satellite-based system that would step in when an engineer doesn’t or isn’t able to take action. The system is currently being created, Noland said, and its cost is estimated at $120 million.
Pair that with the line’s increasingly aging fleet – of which half of its trains were purchased in 1982 and the others in 1990 – and a maintenance bill that went up $3.5 million this winter, and there really aren’t any other options. The proposed increase is anticipated to generate $19. 4 million a year.
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“We have no choice in (positive train control), and we have to fund it,” Noland said. “But it will be a safety enhancement for all riders.”
Riders at Tuesday’s meeting were more concerned with what they’d be getting immediately for their money.
Linda Stefanich, of Griffith, remembers the last time a significant increase was imminent. She, along with other riders, implored NICTD not to do it.
“A 10 percent to 15 percent increase for people who’re just getting back to work will drive riders away, John,” she said to Parsons. “I know that several of my coworkers will either start carpooling or go to the DASH in Porter County. I could easily ride in with my husband and take the Pink Line into the city; if this goes through, I will seriously consider it. It’s too much in three months. Please reconsider.”
Public hearings on the rate increase continue at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Gary PTC Board Room, 100 W. 4th Ave., Gary; and 7 p.m. Monday, May 4, at Michigan City City Hall, 100 E. Michigan Blvd., Michigan City.
Michelle L Quinn is a frelance reporter.