D.C. Metro chooses fare increase, not service cuts
Facing a serious shortfall of revenue midway through its fiscal year, the Washington Metro board decided today to reject proposed cuts to rail and bus service and instead impose a 10-cent, across-the-board fare increase.
In addition, the board directed the staff to make an additional $6 billion in "non-operational" cuts. It also OK'd the use of $10 million in stimulus funds -- which had originally been directed to capital projects that later came in under budget -- for operations.
The board's action appeared to track the sentiment of riders who appeared at a public hearing Wednesday night, where calls for protection from service cutbacks outweighed opposition to increases in fares. Among the proposed service cutbacks on the table were a decrease in late-night Metrorail service, a reduction in the number of eight-car trains at peak times and the elimination of some bus routes
In another action, the board elected Maryland's Peter Benjamin to serve as Metro chairman for the next year. In that capacity, Benjamin will presumably lead the search for a new general manager to replace John Catoe, who resigned early this month.
Comments
Michael:
The WMATA board didn't approve borrowing $6 million from capital funds to close the $40 million deficit for FY10. Instead they directed WMATA management to make $6 million in "non-operational" cuts.
They did approve using $10 million in "Stimulus Funds" that were originally to be used for capital projects, but when those projects came in under budget--the $10 million was used toward the $40 million deficit.
Posted by: Craig Simpson | January 28, 2010 2:54 PM
Wow, a whole ten cent fare increase, my heart bleeds for Metro's riders. I can just see the number of personal bankruptcies in Metro's service area multiplying.....
That still leaves highway users footing the bill for most of the cost of your ride.
Instead of complaining about motorists and truckers, perhaps Metro's riders sholud get down on their knees and thank the highway users for their (forced) generosity.
Posted by: Gary | February 9, 2010 9:31 PM
Alternately, highway users should get on their knees and thank us Metro riders for not clogging the already clogged roads with another few hundred thousand vehicles. But that's just me....
Posted by: Justin..... | February 10, 2010 1:29 PM
Here's my first expierence with the metro: http://www.editurl.com/9yx
Posted by: Brian | February 17, 2010 1:49 PM