WTOP’s Adam Tuss is the first to the gate with news of Metro’s Board of Directors having agreed today to a fare hike proposal to put forward to the public. Here’s the details:

>> Peak Metrorail base fares would increase 30 cents, from $1.35 to $1.65
>> Off-peak rail service would remain at $1.35
>> The maximum rail fare would jump 80 cents, to $4.70
>> If you use SmarTrip, bus fares will remain at $1.25. If you pay with cash, it’ll cost you $1.35.
>> Parking fees at Metro lots would be increased $1.15 across the board.

Now that they’ve agreed on a proposal, Metro’s Board must schedule meetings to allow for public comments. Those meetings are expected to be as soon as mid-November.

So what do you think of the proposal? If anything, it strikes us as being modest enough that it could likely fall short of actually meeting the budget needs of Metro, which is facing a significant shortfall. But, as long as it’s coupled with Catoe’s earlier proposal to start giving away SmartTrip cards for free and providing them in grocery stores, it has the benefit of being unlikely to be seriously challenged on the grounds that it unfairly targets low income residents — something the Board was clearly keen to avoid.

After the jump, Metro mourns the loss of a bus driver, and will have special early morning service on Sunday to accommodate the Marine Corps Marathon.

Photo by Samer Farha