Photo by Kevin H.

This morning, the WMATA Board of Directors is spending a good chunk of time discussing potential alterations to the system’s complicated fare structure. And while Metro leadership has been adamant that no major decisions would be made until at least January 2012, from the sound of the things being discussed regarding the agency’s next budget — including a 32 percent jump in pension costs, costs to operate the first phase of the Silver Line, and rising health care, insurance, and overtime costs — it sure sounds like the board will have to institute a fare increase at some point in the near future.