Metro board favors its free-ride policy

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Metro board members yesterday endorsed continuation of free rides for the 10,000 employees and retirees of the cash-strapped transit system, a perk which Metro officials said costs only $675,000 a year.

Board members said they are in favor of the free rides for Metro's 10,018 employees and 1,660 retirees, as a way of compensating employees, ensuring good service, and encouraging environment-friendly travel. Some current and former board members also get free Metro rides.

Meanwhile, riders can look forward to new, higher rates for rail, bus and parking on Sunday as passed by Metro to help alleviate a $48 million budget deficit for fiscal 2004. Metro expects to face another budget shortfall next year of around $50 million.

The Washington Times first reported about the free rides for Metro employees and retirees on Tuesday. According to calculations by The Times, if each of Metro's employees rides the rail daily for minimum fare the perk costs Metro around $6 million, or $18 million a year for each employee who rides every day for maximum fare.

Metro initially said it could not estimate how much the free rides cost, but yesterday said the perk costs it $675,000 a year. Metro spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said only about 1,500 of Metro's employees ride rail to work each day because many of them start work before the system opens or go home after it closes.

Board member David A. Catania, an at-large Republican on the D.C. Council, said if Metro were to remove the perk, they would have to raise employee salaries. "I really don't object to a free pass," he said.

Dana Kaufman, board member and Fairfax County supervisor, said having employees ride the system helps them do their jobs better.

"Folks get to see how service is working or not working. It does have value," he said.

Fellow board member Christopher Zimmerman, who is also an Arlington County Board member, agreed.