With Fare Hike Looming, Metra Hiring 4 New Top Execs
CHICAGO (CBS) -- As Metra gets closer to raising passenger fares to fill a gaping hole in its budget, CBS 2 has learned that Metra is now in the process of hiring four very highly-paid executives.
CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker has been investigating those upcoming hires – four positions created under Metra's reorganization plan.
The Metra board approved that plan last spring and it is now actively looking to fill the high-level jobs.
Metra officials are weighing a fare hike of as much as 30 percent – the highest fare hike in its history.
At a time when commuters are still coming to grips with paying more money, the agency plans to hire four new top administrators with six-figure salaries.
"A lot of people are working for a lot less now days. The economy is hurting, you know. I think that's ridiculous," said commuter Mike Grana.
The new positions include a deputy executive director, making $185,000 a year; a chief audit and compliance officer and chief communications and marketing officer, each making $150,000 a year; and a rules and federal regulations officer for $100,000 a year.
Commuter Brian Taylor said "$150,000? That's a lot of money for an administrative person … and they want to charge the commuter more to ride, so it's ridiculous."
But Metra spokeswoman Judy Pardonnet said the positions are "much needed."
She said the new hires will help streamline the agency's operation and they're replacing consultants who were being paid fees two to four times the proposed salaries.
But some commuters still question the need.
"They don't need them. They need to look within instead of outside, creating more salaries. That's unnecessary, especially in this day and time," said Denise Banks.
Asked why Metra couldn't figure out how existing staff can do the work that would be assigned to the four new positions, Pardonnet said
"These are groups of people who will need one leader as they go forward as a whole new group, so it's consolidation and sharing resources and eliminating consulting contracts, but providing the right kind of leadership."
The board meets on Oct. 14th to take a look at a preliminary budget. That budget will then be presented at a public hearing.
Final board approval isn't expected until mid-November.
