by justalurker66
South Shore getting shocked by electricity costs
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/arti ... 58e5c.html
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/arti ... 58e5c.html
The South Shore commuter railroad is being squeezed by steep increases in electricity costs, which could factor into decisions later this year on hiking fares or cutting service.More problems for NICTD ... and Metra as they too buy power from ComEd.
The railroad's cost for electricity from ComEd, which is part of its bill for track rights from Metra, increased 26 percent last year, according to Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District General Manager Jerry Hanas.
And now, the railroad is trying to find out how much a recent NIPSCO rate increase approved by state regulators in August will cost the railroad.
...
On Friday, Hanas told his board that by December NICTD will know if it has to again make adjustments for declining revenues and increased costs. Possible options for dealing with those include a fare increase or further work force reductions, Hanas said.