Metro's slow trains leading to $20m surplus

Those slow, manually operated Metrotrains that make some riders sick are expected to help the transit agency come out $20 million ahead this year, according to the agency. Metro Chief Financial Officer Carol Dillon Kissal is estimating the agency will have a surplus when the current fiscal year ends on June 30, primarily because of savings on its energy bills.

Kissal said the agency has spent less money than budgeted to power its trains for two reasons: The agency locked in fuel prices at lower levels than expected and has used fewer kilowatts.