With public transportation set to cost more or serve fewer people — or both — area leaders are pointing to an unwanted resurgence in drivers while proposing a bevy of new fines and fees on them.
“That’s what I’m hearing,” said Fairfax County Supervisor Catherine Hudgins, D-Hunter Mill, of an expanded pool of vehicles. “If this comes to pass, it’s gridlock. It’s pretty simple.”
Some unsatisfied Washingtonians could return to their cars after Metro reveals its solution to a nearly $190 million budget shortfall. Local bus routes traditionally adjust their rates and service to fall in line with the transit agency.
To date, most Metro customers have asked for steeper fares in lieu of slashed services, either of which could start more car engines.
At least one group of people would hardly mind: parking garage owners.
“Quite frankly, one of the effects would be a bonanza for the parking lot owners downtown,” said Ben Ross, president of the Action Committee for Transit. “In D.C., there is a pretty fixed amount of parking. The price will go up until people are driven back to Metro.”
Rates for Fairfax and Montgomery County buses already increased this year just to make it through the fiscal year, after Metro raised fares on its buses and trains.
Seven Fairfax Connector routes, mostly serving Reston, are on the chopping block. Montgomery has proposed cutting 18 routes on its Ride On buses.
“I think people really are frightened,” Hudgins said. “I’ve heard people really distressed about it. It’s like our water system. We expect to have [public transportation].”
