Leaders of Metra, the Pace suburban bus agency and the Regional Transportation Authority joined Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Monday to mark the beginning of a three-year pilot program aimed at helping south-suburban residents with a “lack of affordable options” for getting around, Preckwinkle said.

The South Cook Fair Transit program will slash fares on the Metra Electric and Rock Island train lines to $2.50 per ride, matching the CTA’s rate. It will also more than double the frequency of bus service on Pace’s busy No. 352 line, which traverses the Southland.