WASHINGTON — Metro riders got some relief Thursday as proposals to raise fares and cut service were killed.
The proposed fare hikes would have added 10 cents to rail and bus trips, and service cuts would have included the elimination of late night trains on Fridays and Saturdays.
But those ideas were scrubbed from a budget proposal by a vote of Metro board members.
Now, Metro will focus on reducing its operating costs, rather than using fare hikes and service cuts, to balance its budget.
“We’re tightening our belts even further than we did last time,” said Metro Chief Financial Officer Dennis Anosike. “The proposals that we’ve made to the board do not impact safety, do not impact safety-sensitive positions, do not cut service and do not increase fares,” he added.
Anosike also said their goal is not to ask the jurisdictions served by Metro for additional funding to close any budget gap.
