Metro riders likely will begin paying more to ride subways and buses as board members prepare for a final vote to approve a 15-cent fare increase.
The increase would apply to peak and off-peak base subway fares, with the highest rush-hour trip costing $4.05. Bus fares would increase to $1.35. Under the plan, the daily parking fee at Metro lots also would increase, to as much as $1.30. And the monthly parking-spot reservation fee would increase from $35 to $45.
The board of directors is expected to make a final vote on the proposal in June.
The increases would be for two years and generate more than $34 million in extra revenue, $23 million of which would close the fiscal 2005 budget shortfall, Metro officials said.
The remaining $11.2 million could go toward the next year’s anticipated $25 million-to-$34 million spending gap.
“I don’t want our system to go back to being an expensive one to ride,” said Chris Zimmerman, a board member representing Arlington County. “But I don’t want the board debating a fare increase every year.”
Board Chairman Robert J. Smith agreed.
“I don’t know if I fully support the [proposal], but it’s obvious that there will be some fare-increase package,” he said. “I do support a fare increase to carry us through fiscal 2005 and 2006 without having to do this dance again.”
Last year, Metro increased rail and bus fares for the first time since 1995.
Nine public hearings held last month on the proposed increases were sparsely attended.
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Metro’s Red Line — the system’s most crowded line — will get 42 extra rail cars Monday, despite arguments from board members that other lines are in greater need of the cars.
An agreement originally reached in 2001 promised the cars to the densely packed Red Line, which goes from Shady Grove to Union Station, then loops back into Montgomery County on the east side to pass Silver Spring to Glenmont.
The initial deployment plan was based on the premise that each line would have a maximum of 98 passengers per car during peak hours. However, some board members said yesterday that shifting demographics have changed the priorities.
Information compiled last year showed the Green Line to Branch Avenue, the Blue Line to Franconia-Springfield, Va., the Orange Line to Vienna, Va., and the Red Line were averaging more than 102 passengers per car.
The new redeployment plan, which also faces final approval by the board in June, would add 34 cars to the Red Line and would add 14 cars to the Green, Blue and Orange lines.
The additional six cars would be taken from the pool of gap trains, used when problems occur on a line, said Jim Hughes, Metro’s director of operations and planning. Metro has 16 gap cars, 20 less than recommended.
“It seems clear to me the majority of the board wants to see a better distribution of the cars,” said Board Vice Chairman Gladys A. Mack.
Some board members said they were disappointed with Metro officials for not providing them with a requested report on reducing the number of passengers to fewer than 100 per car. Board members requested the report weeks ago, but the old deployment plan was presented to them yesterday.
“These cars are going to be [deployed] Monday morning, and we’re stuck with a decision we made in 2001,” Mrs. Mack said.
Mr. Zimmerman said the plan needs more balance because on the Orange Line, “full trains are coming in and leaving without picking up anyone.”
Mr. Smith, who represents Montgomery County, voted against the new plan and called it “unacceptable.”
“Yes it was two years ago, but it was an agreement,” he said. “We should re-balance when the next [fleet] of cars come in, not just ’[ignore] the last guy in line.’ ”
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A regional task force on serving disabled residents made 10 recommendations yesterday to reduce costs, including charging an extra $4 for trips beyond three-quarters of a mile. Officials estimate only about 1 percent of the 11,000 MetroAccess users would pay the maximum $6.40 a trip.
The panel also recommended giving companions of disabled riders a free ride, re-certifying disabled riders every three years, starting a Medicaid transit-pass program and making it easier for the disabled to get to bus stops.
The suggestions would save or generate $1.7 million.
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The budget committee also approved permanently keeping Metro open until 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights. The District has been paying for the 18-month trial program, which is funded through December. Maryland and Virginia would also share in the cost of keeping the system open an hour later, which is projected to cost $1.8 million in fiscal 2005. It still faces full board approval next month.
• This article is based in part on wire service reports.
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