Revised Metro budget plan draws both relief, dismay

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.