During a finance committee meeting this morning, WMATA board members and officials discussed controversial reforms which would have reduced the cost of SmarTrip cards to $2.50, but also would have prevented riders from leaving the Metrorail system with a negative balance. WMATA’s board is now considering scrapping the reforms after it was reported that the change could potentially eliminate nearly a million dollars per month in revenue — not to mention the fact that nearly everyone thought it was just a terrible idea. (A big tip of the cap to Adam Tuss and Greater Greater Washington for both live-tweeting the meeting.) As it turns out, we’re just going to have to wait a little longer for an official decision — perhaps until the scheduled WMATA board meeting on September 30.

One new revelation from the meeting: the physical SmarTrip card might be in for some big changes. Board chairman Peter Benjamin stated that the manufacturer of the actual SmarTrip cards might stop producing them soon. Metro reportedly has enough SmarTrips on hand to last another couple of years — though, at that point, they would need to find new technology or a new manufacturer.

But back to the main point: the board is still completely torn about whether it should reduce the price of SmarTrip cards or just keep the system as it was, negative balances and all. WMATA Board member Chris Zimmerman was adamant that the plan to reduce the price of the cards should be initiated as planned. “It was part of what we agreed on,” said Zimmerman. But Benjamin rebuked him, saying that the decision to lower the price was made “based upon bad information.” Benjamin also admitted that Metro should have talked with the public before considering changes.