Public Comments Being Accepted on Metro Fare Hike, Service Reduction

Washington's Metro subway system is accepting public comment on a proposal to raise fares and reduce services.

The cuts are being considered as a way to reduce the amount of money that Metro will be requesting from eight local jurisdictions that fund the system. Right now, they're being asked to kick in $919 million in the upcoming budget year.

Metro says raising rail and bus fares by 10 cents per ride would produce $22 million in revenue. Metro is also considering increasing the time between trains from six to eight minutes during peak hours, and cutting or scaling back some bus routes.

Metro will take public comment about the proposal at a 1 p.m. Thursday hearing at its headquarters in northwest Washington. Others can comment on Metro's website.