Reductions in Metra commuter train service might not happen next year after all, even if the Illinois General Assembly fails to come up with new funding to avoid the fiscal cliff. Plus, the Regional Transportation Authority, which oversees funding, is requiring Metra, CTA, and PACE to increase fares by 10% early next year. RTA is requiring each service service provider to prepare two separate budgets … one assuming no additional state funding for the fiscal cliff, and one incorporating the extra state assistance. Metra’s Chief Financial Officer John Morris said that if the “no fiscal cliff funding” model happens, there would possibly have to be another fare hike in the second half of 2026. Metra, CTA, and PACE are supposed to present their budgets to the RTA next month.