CHICAGO, IL—(ENEWSPF)—September 20, 2011. United States Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) today sent a letter to Alex Clifford, Executive Director and CEO of Metra, asking him to offer an explanation of costs incurred by the agency, and justify the proposed 30% fare increase. Metra currently has a six-month, $225,000 contract with George Avery Grimes, a consultant brought on to increase agency efficiencies and reduce costs. Grimes’ contract is under review for a six-month extension. In their letter, Durbin and Kirk request that Metra disclose any additional outside contracts and consultants to demonstrate that all potential efficiencies and budget reductions have been exhausted before the Board of Directors votes on the proposed fare hike.
