Metro hearings to begin on proposed fare increases

(Published February 24, 2003)

 

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has scheduled a series of nine public hearings to seek public comment on its plans to increase Metro bus and rail fares this summer.

The Metro Board of Directors plans to vote on the fare hike proposal after the hearings are completed. If approved, the new fares would go into effect on July 1.

The fare hikes are part of a plan to generate $24 million in additional revenue for the transit agency during fiscal 2004 to help stem an expected $48 million projected budget shortfall.

Metro officials propose

• increasing the Metrorail peak boarding charge from $1,10 to $1.40;

• increasing the maximum peak Metrorail fare by 60 cents;

• increasing the off-peak Metrorail fare by 30 cents;

• increasing the Metrobus boarding charge from $1.10 to $1.30 all day.

• increasing the Metrobus Express Service boarding charge by 50 cents;

• increasing the daily parking rate by $1 and the monthly reserved parking rate by $30;

• modifying MetroAccess fares from $2.20 to double the fastest equivalent bus and/or rail fare.

Persons wishing to testify must notify Metro Chief of Staff Harold M. Bartlett in writing at least five days prior to the hearing date at which they wish to be heard.

Hearings are scheduled for:

•Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Arlington County Board Room, 2100 Clarendon Blvd.

• Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. at Garnet-Patterson Middle School, 2001 10th St. NW.

• Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Malcolm X Elementary School, 1351 Alabama Ave. SE.

• Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Metro Headquarters, 600 Fifth St. NW.

• March 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, 6600 Kenilworth Ave., Riverdale.

• March 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the Fairfax County South Govern-ment Center, 8350 Richmond Highway, Alexandria.

• March 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the Montgomery County Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville.

• March 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Oakton High School, 2900 Sutton High School, Vienna.

• March 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Alexandria City Hall, 301 King St.

 

Copyright 2003, The Common Denominator