The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District has announced a 30-day comment period for proposed 10% fare increases.

General Manager and President Michael Noland has said the increases are necessary to “show some skin in the game” as the railroad seeks state funding to help pay operating costs and rebuild its depleted coffers.

Five hearings have been set:

6:30 p.m. April 28 at Gary Public Library, 501 St. Lake St.

7 p.m. April 29 at Studebaker Road, South Bend International Airport, South Bend.

6:30 p.m. April 30 at Michigan City Public Library, 100 E. 4th St.

6 p.m. at the NICTD Administrative office board room adjacent to Dune Park station, 33 E. U.S. Hwy 12, Chesterton.

6 p.m. May 6 at Hammond Public Library, Schlesinger board room, 564 State St.

The new fares would take effect July 1 for all riders, including those with monthly tickets. Increases would be rounded to the nearest quarter.

For passengers boarding at Dune Park or Portage/Ogden Dunes, the one-way fare to Millennium Station would be $10. Seniors and others who ride for half price would pay $5.

Those who don’t speak at a public hearing may submit comments to comments@nictd.com or mail them to the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, 33 East U.S. Highway 12, Chesterton, Indiana 46304.

The deadline for comments is 5 p.m. May 9.

The NICTD board is scheduled to vote on the fair increase proposal at its May 19 meeting.

Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.