Metro’s board of directors on Thursday asked questions about the proposed fare increases in the agency’s budget proposal and sought other programs and policies to be considered. Board members have until at least Jan. 26 to finalize a menu of options for the public to consider. Here are some issues they would like to be considered: • Peak of the peak: Metro has proposed scrapping the 20-cent surcharge during the height of the daily rushes, but D.C. Councilwoman Muriel Bowser questioned why the agency would get rid of $12 million in revenue.
• Two-zone system vs. flat fare for paper farecards: Metro proposes setting paper farecards at $6 per trip during peak travel for a one-way ticket or $4 during off-peak, and scrapping the current paper surcharge and some rail passes. But some board members questioned it and asked for a two-zone system with one rate for the downtown core, another for all else, or higher paper surcharges.
• 5-cent station surcharge: Board members asked for a surcharge to be considered for select stations, such as Union Station, to raise money for rebuilding and renovations.
