Metro Holding 6 Public Meetings on Budget, Fare Hikes

Fare increases to be discussed

Metro will host six public meetings to discuss proposed fare hikes that could take effect as early as July.

The transit agency will hold six hearings, running from February 27 until March 7.

The public hearings will focus on Metro’s proposed $1.6 billion 2013 budget, which would collect $53 million more from the governments of Maryland, D.C., and Virginia, and would collect an estimated $66 million more from riders.

Metro General Manager Richard Sarles proposed increasing fees for Metro customers for several services.  In his budget, Sarles wants to raise the base off-peak fare by a dime, increase bus fare charges by ten cents, and increase parking charges 25-cents.  More from the proposed budget here.

The hearings will take place as follows:

Monday, Feb. 27
Bethesda Chevy Chase Regional Services Center – Hearing 569
4805 Edgemoor Lane
Bethesda, MD

Wednesday, Feb. 29
Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School Cafeteria – Hearing 570
7130 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA

Thursday, March 1
Matthews Memorial Baptist Church – Hearing 571
John H. Kearney, Sr. Fellowship Hall
2616 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., SE
Washington, DC

Monday, March 5
Washington Lee High School Cafeteria – Hearing 572
1301 N Stafford St
Arlington, VA

Tuesday, March 6
St. Columba’s Episcopal Church – Hearing 573
4201 Albemarle Street, NW
Washington, DC

Wednesday, March 7
First United Methodist Church – Hearing 574
6201 Belcrest Road
Hyattsville, MD

Open forums for the hearings begin at 6 p.m. each night, followed by the public hearings at 7 p.m.

Anyone wishes to speak as a witness at one of these hearings can submit their name in writing, either via mail, to the Office of the Secretary, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 600 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001.

Alternatively, requests to speak can be faxed to 202-962-1133 or e-mailed to speak@wmata.com.

Written statements and exhibits may be sent to the Office of the Secretary, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 600 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001.

Statements also may be faxed to 202-962-1133, or e-mailed to writtentestimony@wmata.com.

For more on signing up to be a speaker or submitting written statements, check Metro's website here.

 

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