Remember yesterday, when we noted that the Federal Transit Administration’s tool for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of transit projects was slightly out of whack? Well, it looks like it’s got some company in the “crazy” department, with new FTA regulations that effectively end Metro’s ability to operate shuttle buses from stations to highly-traveled destinations.

The new rules (PDF), which went into effect May 1, require public transit agencies to offer right of first refusal to private charter companies before operating shuttle service for revenue. Of course, there are dozens of such companies in the metropolitan area that would absolutely love to get a slice of such an easy chunk of revenue.

While the casualty to Metro’s bottom line might be the loss of “a small profit” (only according to Metro chief John Catoe; one could conceivably argue that any program which is turning a profit is invaluable at this time), the greater impact is going to be felt by riders who regularly take a shuttle from the Morgan Boulevard station to FedEx Field for Redskins games in the fall – Metro chartered more than 1,300 buses and charged $5 per trip last season. No word on how much a private company will charge for the same service, but we wouldn’t be surprised if such a program came along with a fare increase.

On the bright side, at least for now, Metro did receive a one-year waiver to the rule for services to Wolf Trap from the West Falls Church station. That shuttle costs riders $3 and will be available starting today.

photo by jsmjr.