South Shore commuters in Northwest Indiana will have two fewer options when it comes to buying tickets, after the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District decided to close windows at the Hammond and Gary Metro Center South Shore stations.
The stations will remain open, and the halt in ticket sales was called a cost-cutting measure, according to a nwi.com report.
Two full-time window clerk jobs will be eliminated. NICTD expects $150,000 in annual savings with the move, according to Keith Benman’s report.
NICTD revenues have been declining because of reduced ridership on the South Shore during the recession and lower state tax revenues. The railroad also has to pay a 3 percent wage increase to unionized employees under collective bargaining agreements, and its health care costs are increasing.