Metro Asks Riders for Input on $144M Budget Shortfall
Monday, Oct 19, 2009 | Updated 9:00 PM EDT
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Passengers board a Metro train at Gallery Place-Chinatown.
WASHINGTON -- Metro is asking riders for advice on how to handle a projected $144 million budget gap next year, which could mean fare hikes.
Metro General Manager John Catoe was scheduled to speak Monday at a public meeting for D.C. residents, along with Metro board chairman Jim Graham, The Washington Post reported.
The group metroriders.org said it expects Metro will have to adjust fares every two years to keep pace with inflation. But the group says riders shouldn't have to cover the entire budget gap and called on local governments to contribute more.
The Transit First Coalition said there should be no service cuts.
Metro said ridership is down and costs are rising.
A Virginia forum is scheduled for Wednesday.
Copyright Associated Press
