The WMATA Board Thursday voted to forego fare increases and substantial cuts in service. Chris Gordon reports.
The WMATA Board Thursday voted to forego fare increases and substantial cuts in service.
The board considers fare increases every two years, and had considered imposing a 10-cent increase on bus and rail earlier this time around. They also mulled over cutting back late night rail and some bus service to make up for a $46 million budget shortfall.
"I think it's a good message from our riders," board member Catherine Hudgins said. "We want to hear from them. We've heard from them and they feel the fare increase would be onerous at this time."
The meeting comes less than two months following a fatal smoke incident at the L'Enfant Metro station tunnel, as well as a harsh winter that has led to dozens of fire-related issues on the tracks.
"They need to clean up the system and use dollars they currently have in their budget to repair all of the escalators, clean all of the sidewalks, alleviate the smoke and do a better job," Cindy Eckley, a Metro rider, said.
Additionally, sources told News4 there is division among board members about the short list of candidates to lead the transit agency. Though three candidates have been shortlisted, some D.C. officials said they would prefer the agency is lead by a financial manager, not a transportation expert.
