Metro discusses budget woes on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON - Cutting Metrobus service during a tough economy? Wrong move, some high-powered local leaders say.

During a meeting on Capitol Hill Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) urged Metro General Manager John Catoe and Metro Board Chairman Jim Graham to use stimulus funds as a fix for the transit agency's budget woes.

Metro is currently facing a $13.5 million budget gap for the next fiscal year, and cuts to bus service are on the table.

"More people obviously rely on public transit during a period of economic downturn," Van Hollen said. "Our hope had been that these stimulus dollars would allow you to continue to operate. So a lot of people are wondering, where did that money go? How come we can't be using some of that money to make sure that people can get to work?"

Metro is anticipating $202 million in stimulus funds.

Most of the proposed cuts to bus service impact riders in Maryland.

Metro board members representing Maryland have been hesitant to use stimulus dollars to fix the budget situation.

"We are not taking anything off the table, but that is not our favorite option," says board member Peter Benjamin, who represents Maryland. "Stimulus funds are essentially our capital dollars, and we already have a $4 billion hole on the capital side."

Metro's capital dollars are set aside for issues like maintenance, upgrades and repairs. Some have worried that borrowing money from the capital side to pay off the budget gap will only lead to a greater hole down the line.

"Honestly, I like the idea of a fare increase," Benjamin says.

During a recent set of public hearings, many Metro riders did say they would be willing to pay more to keep the existing service in place.

Still, Graham, who has pushed hard for the stimulus option, says it is worth a serious look.

"I very much appreciate Congressman Van Hollen's point. I am willing to consider using stimulus funds," Graham says.

Metro's Board of Directors will hold a special meeting Thursday, and is expected to make a decision on closing the budget gap.

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