Metro officials are pulling back from a plan to review proposed service cuts today, delaying discussion on the largest trims ever proposed for the transit agency’s rail and bus service.
Metro’s board of directors was slated to hear its first public presentation this morning on possible cuts that included suggestions as controversial as ending rail service at 10 p.m. on weekdays. The ideas from a regional panel for how to plug a hole in the budget have already angered some rider advocates.
But Peter Benjamin, who heads Metro board’s finance committee and sets its agenda, told The Examiner on Wednesday that the board needs to look closely at where it can find other savings before cutting service.
Any service cuts, he said, would “become the last piece” in determining next fiscal year’s budget.
Metro officials have said the transit agency faces a $154 million gap in its proposed $1.38 billion budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. General Manager John Catoe initially called for cutting 891 positions and $87 million in service cuts.
A regional advisory group was tasked with suggesting which parts of the system’s rail and bus service should be cut. The initial ideas included closing some rail station entrances and eliminating low-performing bus routes. The group also said Metro could end its 3 a.m. rail service on weekends and stop its weekday trains at 10 p.m.
But rider advocates have howled at the suggestions. Ben Ross, president of the Action Committee for Transit in Montgomery County, has said his group is opposed to any cuts.
Last week, Metro officials said they expected the regional group to present its ideas today. But a presentation is not listed on the online agenda for the meeting.
Still, Metro must find ways to bridge the budget gap. Metro officials were able to narrow the shortfall when members of the finance staff realized they overestimated some personnel costs by $22 million. That lowered the budget gap from $176 million to $154 million.
Board officials have said they hope to find more savings by looking closely at internal costs.
The agency would hold public hearings on any proposed trims to rider services.
