by WMATAGMOAGH
From the Washington Post:
Subway Fares May Rise 30 Cents
Metro's Proposal On Increases Heads For Public Debate
By Lena H. Sun and Ann E. Marimow
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, October 26, 2007; Page B01
Minimum rush-hour subway fares could rise as much as 30 cents, bus fares could go up a dime and parking fees could increase by $1.15 under a plan agreed to by Metro board members yesterday that now must go before the public.
The proposal is designed to spur public debate, and board members said the amounts of the suggested increases are likely to change by December, when the board is to make a final decision after a series of public hearings. Under Metro rules, the board can only lower the proposed changes, not raise them. New fares would go into effect early next year.
Under the pricing plan, base rush-hour subway fares could rise 30 cents to $1.65, and peak-period costs could go up as much as 80 cents, depending on trip distances. Maximum rush-hour fares would increase 80 cents, from $3.90 to $4.70. There would be no increase during off-peak periods.
The cost to take a bus would remain $1.25 for riders who pay with electronic SmarTrip cards, and cash-paying riders would pay 10 cents more.
Metro would also have one year to eliminate free paper bus-to-bus transfers to give riders enough time to transition to electronic cards. To encourage use of the cards, Metro officials plan to give away about 50,000 SmarTrip cards to low-income bus riders.
The $1.15 increase in parking fees would be added to the $3.75 to $4 that Metro charges at its suburban lots. The proposal also calls for Metro to increase the number of reserved parking spaces at its lots by 3,500, a 70 percent increase over the current 5,000. Reserved spots cost $45 a month, in addition to daily fees. Many lots fill quickly and have long waiting lists for reserved spaces.
The fare proposal adopted yesterday came after weeks of sometimes angry debate that pitted suburban Metro board members, who want to keep parking fees and rail fares low, against urban members, who prefer to keep bus fares low because more riders come from the District and are low-income.
The fare increases are needed to help close a projected $109 million budget shortfall. The plan agreed to yesterday falls $20 million short, Metro officials said.
The fare debate yesterday, which stretched to 90 minutes, was on the verge of stalemate until members agreed to modify a plan originally proposed by D.C. Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), who represents the District on the Metro board. Until yesterday, District members had refused to discuss any increase in bus fares.
But to win consensus, the District agreed to allow a 10-cent increase to be considered. "We don't want to appear recalcitrant," Graham said. In return, suburban members agreed to higher parking fees and rail fares.
But when a final decision is made on fares, "we're not going to vote for the increases that are going out to public hearing," said Maryland board member Peter Benjamin. Those figures are meant to stimulate public discussion.
The board's decision to delay a vote on the Takoma townhouse project was a temporary victory for some Maryland and District residents who live near the station in Northwest Washington. In letters and in testimony yesterday, opponents urged the Metro board to rework its longstanding plan to sell 6.8 acres at the station to Bethesda-based developer EYA. Critics want the 86-unit development to better accommodate walkers and disabled riders and to retain more of the tree-lined open space around the station.
Takoma Park City Council member Bruce Williams said the project would lead to a chaotic mix of cars and buses at the station's roundabout and constrain transit operations.
"You have neither heard nor received our message. We're frustrated, and we're angry," he told the Metro board.
The project is backed by District Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) and council member Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4). Supporters of the project have said that it is central to revitalizing the neighborhood's retail district and that the debate, which began in 1999, has dragged on long enough.
Metro board Chairwoman Elizabeth M. Hewlett, one of Maryland's representatives, said she decided to delay action after hearing concerns from residents and an entreaty from O'Malley, who appoints Maryland's Metro board members.
A special board meeting on the townhouse project is scheduled for Nov. 8.
Subway Fares May Rise 30 Cents
Metro's Proposal On Increases Heads For Public Debate
By Lena H. Sun and Ann E. Marimow
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, October 26, 2007; Page B01
Minimum rush-hour subway fares could rise as much as 30 cents, bus fares could go up a dime and parking fees could increase by $1.15 under a plan agreed to by Metro board members yesterday that now must go before the public.
The proposal is designed to spur public debate, and board members said the amounts of the suggested increases are likely to change by December, when the board is to make a final decision after a series of public hearings. Under Metro rules, the board can only lower the proposed changes, not raise them. New fares would go into effect early next year.
Under the pricing plan, base rush-hour subway fares could rise 30 cents to $1.65, and peak-period costs could go up as much as 80 cents, depending on trip distances. Maximum rush-hour fares would increase 80 cents, from $3.90 to $4.70. There would be no increase during off-peak periods.
The cost to take a bus would remain $1.25 for riders who pay with electronic SmarTrip cards, and cash-paying riders would pay 10 cents more.
Metro would also have one year to eliminate free paper bus-to-bus transfers to give riders enough time to transition to electronic cards. To encourage use of the cards, Metro officials plan to give away about 50,000 SmarTrip cards to low-income bus riders.
The $1.15 increase in parking fees would be added to the $3.75 to $4 that Metro charges at its suburban lots. The proposal also calls for Metro to increase the number of reserved parking spaces at its lots by 3,500, a 70 percent increase over the current 5,000. Reserved spots cost $45 a month, in addition to daily fees. Many lots fill quickly and have long waiting lists for reserved spaces.
The fare proposal adopted yesterday came after weeks of sometimes angry debate that pitted suburban Metro board members, who want to keep parking fees and rail fares low, against urban members, who prefer to keep bus fares low because more riders come from the District and are low-income.
The fare increases are needed to help close a projected $109 million budget shortfall. The plan agreed to yesterday falls $20 million short, Metro officials said.
The fare debate yesterday, which stretched to 90 minutes, was on the verge of stalemate until members agreed to modify a plan originally proposed by D.C. Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), who represents the District on the Metro board. Until yesterday, District members had refused to discuss any increase in bus fares.
But to win consensus, the District agreed to allow a 10-cent increase to be considered. "We don't want to appear recalcitrant," Graham said. In return, suburban members agreed to higher parking fees and rail fares.
But when a final decision is made on fares, "we're not going to vote for the increases that are going out to public hearing," said Maryland board member Peter Benjamin. Those figures are meant to stimulate public discussion.
The board's decision to delay a vote on the Takoma townhouse project was a temporary victory for some Maryland and District residents who live near the station in Northwest Washington. In letters and in testimony yesterday, opponents urged the Metro board to rework its longstanding plan to sell 6.8 acres at the station to Bethesda-based developer EYA. Critics want the 86-unit development to better accommodate walkers and disabled riders and to retain more of the tree-lined open space around the station.
Takoma Park City Council member Bruce Williams said the project would lead to a chaotic mix of cars and buses at the station's roundabout and constrain transit operations.
"You have neither heard nor received our message. We're frustrated, and we're angry," he told the Metro board.
The project is backed by District Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) and council member Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4). Supporters of the project have said that it is central to revitalizing the neighborhood's retail district and that the debate, which began in 1999, has dragged on long enough.
Metro board Chairwoman Elizabeth M. Hewlett, one of Maryland's representatives, said she decided to delay action after hearing concerns from residents and an entreaty from O'Malley, who appoints Maryland's Metro board members.
A special board meeting on the townhouse project is scheduled for Nov. 8.
