A revised proposal for closing an $189 million gap in Metro’s next budget was met Thursday with some relief that trims to bus and rail service could be smaller than initially proposed — but the plan also sparked questions and even dismay.
General Manager Richard Sarles presented a revised $1.46 billion budget proposal that called for scaling back cuts to service yet raising fares. It would borrow from the capital budget and ask for higher subsidies from local jurisdictions. But the board of directors’ subsequent discussion highlighted the tensions between jurisdictions and their parochial interests.
D.C. City Administrator Neil Albert voiced concerns that 20 percent fare increases would unduly hit bus riders, and thus city residents, compared with the 15 percent increase for rail fares and 12 percent parking fee hike that would tend to affect suburban riders.
D.C. Councilman Jim Graham opposed ending weekend service at 2 a.m., not 3 a.m., saying it was “anathema” to a city that depends on nightlife.
A change to the perimeters of MetroAccess service dismayed Wendy Klancher, who coordinates a regional transportation access advisory committee. All new MetroAccess users — except for about 300 current users — would be limited to trips within a 3/4-mile corridor from Metro bus and rail routes.
She said it’s often expensive to live within that area, and many MetroAccess users have medical appointments out of that range. “It’s not worth the pain it’s going to cause for the money they’re getting,” she told the Washington Examiner.
Meanwhile, Christopher Zimmerman, an Arlington County Board member, said it was “unacceptable” that service cuts remain even though more than three-quarters of public comments opposed service cuts. “I will not support a budget that cuts service when we need more service,” he said.
He also opposed borrowing $30 million of capital money to plug the gap, bringing the total to $60 million taken from the long-term project fund. He argued that Virginia jurisdictions and the District can boost their subsidies more to avoid cuts, leaving it to Maryland to chip in its share.
But Chairman Peter Benjamin, who represents Maryland, said even the $13.9 million extra Sarles is seeking will be a stretch.
