Photo by Craig Moe
After weeks of receiving feedback from Metro riders, the transit system has revised its 2018 budget proposal to save some bus routes. But the plan still entails increasing fares and slowing rail service during peak times beginning July 1.
“Metro listened very carefully to our customers who said they would prefer to pay a little more than lose key rail and bus services,” Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld said in a release. “I recognize that even with some relief for customers, this proposal is tough medicine for the region, jurisdictions, riders, and Metro employees, all of whom must contribute to balance this budget.”
Wiedefeld announced his “Reality Check” budget last year. Facing declining ridership and a $290 million budget gap, he proposed fare increases for both Metrobus and rail, longer wait times on Metro, and eliminating some bus routes. The budget also calls for firing an “unprecedented” 1,000 people—some of whom have already gotten the axe.
In a revised version of the proposal, Metro restored $5 million for bus routes, mostly in Maryland and Virginia (including the 5A to Dulles Airport) that were previously on the chopping block. Plus, the cost of a weekly bus pass will stay at its current price of $17.50 so that frequent riders who purchase them won’t have to pay an extra quarter per trip like everyone else. Metro officials also nixed a plan to further slow down train service during off-peak times. And the system is adding extra buses to help riders who previously relied on late-night rail service, which is being cut even after the yearlong SafeTrack maintenance plan is over.
But many of Wiedefeld’s original plans, such as bus and rail fare increases, remain the same. This includes a $0.10 increase for peak rail fares ($2.25 new minimum), a $0.25 increase for off-peak rail fares ($2.00 new minimum), and a $0.25 increase for Metrobus fares (new fare would be $2.00 per ride).
And, as per the original proposal, trains during peak hours will operate about every 8 minutes on all lines. More than two dozen bus routes are still being reduced, modified, or eliminated.
Board Chairman Jack Evans said last week that he plans to back the fare hikes and service cuts in order to close the budget gap, according to The Washington Post. “This is one of those budgets where nobody gets everything they want, but at the end of the day, it’s a responsible budget,” Evans said.
The Metro board’s finance committee is set to review the proposal on Thursday, and the full board is expected to vote on the budget at its meeting on March 23.
