Metro Proposes Fare Hikes, Service Cuts, Layoffs
WASHINGTON (AP) — Metro has proposed reducing service, increasing fares and laying off 1,000 workers in an effort to balance its budget.
The beleaguered transit network has seen ridership decline amid safety and reliability issues. In a statement on Sunday, Metro says it expects ridership to continue to decline in the next fiscal year. Riders take more than 700,000 daily trips on Metro, but that number was closer to 800,000 in 2009.
Metro says it also plans to ask for an additional $130 million in subsidies from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia to help balance its $1.8 billion budget.
Among the proposed service cuts would be to increase times between trains during rush hour.
Metro board chairman Jack Evans tells The Washington Post he would veto any fare increases.
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