The Metro Board tabled a vote Thursday on whether to turn some stations into convenient, and potentially very messy, shopping destinations.
The plan is to put food kiosks, newsstands, dry cleaners, and other retail shops and services in a dozen stations. The Board wants Metro to come back in June with a revised plan that deemphasizes food and drink sales in favor of items like books and DVDs, the Washington Business Journal reported.
"This is just another way we can generate revenue to help with our operating costs, " said Metro spokesperson Angela Gates.
Despite the tempting and seemingly appealing possibility of grabbing food and drinks right before stepping onto a train, some passengers don't think it's a good plan.
"You can't eat on the train, right?" said Metro rider Sherry Penson. "So what are you going to do with it, hold it 'til you get off?"
Other riders worry about what their fellow passengers won't hold onto: cups, food wrappers and other trash from their freshly purchased Metro goods.
Metro doesn't expect food sales to impact the current no-eating rule. But that's one idea some passengers aren't buying, based on other subway systems that have no restrictions on food and drinks.
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"When you go to places [...] where they allow food on the trains, it's really gross and disgusting," said passenger Karen Late.
Whether or not Metro approves the plan for food and retail sales at stations, they say a fare increase is likely in the near future.
