The latest round of Metro fare increases hasn’t even been implemented yet, but the WMATA board’s finance committee is already signing off on yet another hike. The full board will probably follow suit.
This time, it’s a special increase at six stations, with the proceeds going toward a plan to ease commuter congestion at Union Station. The District has applied for about $18 million in federal grant money, about half the cost of the project, but will need more from Metro riders to help pay the rest.
The five-cent surcharge was considered as part of the huge fare increase plan approved last month, but Metro kept it in its back pocket until now. It would raise about $400,000 per year.
D.C. Councilmember Jim Graham, who sits on the finance board, voted against it, saying, “We are approving a fare increase, details to be provided later.”
Graham’s right. Union Station is congested, and Metro is deep in the red, but WMATA keeps coming back to riders to pay the bill. Metro is nickel-and-diming riders -- even as it reports an even bigger budget gap. Metro now says its $40 million operating budget shortfall will actually be as much as $65 million, mainly because of anticipated revenue lost to Snowmageddon.
Metro should level with its customers and raise fares as much as needed to cover all its costs -- even if it means an outrageous increase. The outcry that would follow might get the local and federal governments to seriously look at increasing funding.
But instead, the fare hikes come in dribs and drabs. Metro decided to raise fares in two bumps, on June 27 and August 1, to lessen the impact (and public anger). But now, WMATA is worried that riders won’t expect the second bump. Board member Chris Zimmerman said, “It seems that ... we will have the maximum confusing situation.”
