Metro Looking to Dig More Into Riders’ Pockets

Photo courtesy of
‘Metro Emergency Button’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

Wondering what’s next up the track for WMATA riders?

More fare hikes, for one.

WTOP’s Adam Tuss gives a solid rundown of today’s WMATA Board of Directors/Finance, Oversight and Administration Commitee meeting to suggest budget guidance; topping the list is the apparent “resignation” that riders will once again need to pony up to help Metro close its yawning $189 million budget gap for FY2011.

Fares are likely to go up across the board. Peak rail rates will go from $1.65 to $1.90, off-peak from $1.35 to $1.55, and bus rates up $.25. Also discussed was a “peak of the peak” surcharge, placed on riders who travel between 7:30 – 9:30 am and 4:30 – 6:00 pm on weekdays. The surcharge could be an additional 10- to 20-cent fare hike or a 50-cent charge to those who use the busiest stations – Union Station, Metro Center, Dupont Circle, Farragut North, Farragut West, L’Enfant Plaza, Gallery Place-Chinatown, and Pentagon City.

Metro’s trying to decide quickly what to do, as it takes approximately 60 days to program and implement fare changes.

Makes me glad I broke up with Metro when I did…

Having lived in the DC area for ten years, Ben still loves to wander the city with his wife, shooting lots of photos and exploring all the latest exhibits and galleries. A certified hockey fanatic, he spends some time debating the Washington Capitals club with friends – but everyone knows of his three decade love affair with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

A professional writer, gamer, photographer, and Lego enthusiast, Ben remains captivated by DC and doesn’t plan on leaving any time soon.

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6 thoughts on “Metro Looking to Dig More Into Riders’ Pockets”

  2. We should expect more stories like this b/c it is the only way to get direct money into the Metro to kill this financial hole

    Less cars attached, slower times, etc….are things that won’t fix our hole whatsoever

  3. Still cheaper than driving and parking. And better than slashing services. Still, it’s ridiculous that Metro has no dedicated government funding.

  4. @Phil For you it might be cheaper, but for my wife and I, it’s much more expensive now in both money AND time to take Metro from the edge of the Beltway.

    I’ll stick to the roads. I still get to work faster than the Blue Line these days.

  5. s/Board of Directors/Finance, Oversight and Administration Commitee/g

    Real board meeting is later. This was just to give guidance to staff on what to program.