Metra riders should expect to pay an average of 13% more per ride next year as the commuter rail service proposes fare increases in response to a looming fiscal crisis.

The fare increases are outlined in Metra’s proposed 2026 budget, which agency board members voted to release Friday. The budget is subject to approval by the agency’s board next month.

Metra, the CTA and suburban bus service Pace are facing a structural budget deficit as they get closer to running out of one-time federal pandemic relief aid. Ridership, meanwhile, hasn’t rebounded to pre-pandemic levels.

But despite the impending fiscal cliff, Metra has said it won’t need to cut train service next year — even if state lawmakers fail to approve additional transit funding during their legislative veto session this mon

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