Metro tackles $154M deficit, possible service cuts

WASHINGTON - Metro board members and staff are scouring the budget, looking at every dollar they can save in a last-ditch effort to prevent service cuts.

Metro is staring down a $154 million budget gap for fiscal year 2010 - and $73 million of that may have to come in the form of service cuts.

At a board meeting Thursday, the transit agency reviewed its budget for fiscal year 2010.

"We are not talking about service reductions yet," Metro Board member Peter Benjamin said. "What we are doing is trying to find out how much might be needed, and see what other reductions might be made first so that we don't go out and say to the public that we need to make a change that we really don't need to make."

Metro has instructed a group of transportation leaders from local jurisdictions -known at the Jurisdictional Coordinating Committee - to explore possible service reductions and their impact.

Some of the possible ideas are:

• Closing the Metro system at 10 p.m. on weekdays
• Opening the system later in the mornings
• Doing away with low-performing bus routes

Metro General Manager John Catoe had a chance to weigh in on some of those proposals.

"Well, we are not going to close our system at 10 o'clock. I can definitely say that is not gonna happen. It would have to be a far worse economic crisis than what we are facing today, before I ever make that suggestion. That will not come out of my mouth and the board will not be considering that," Catoe said.

Catoe also said he has not been instructed by the board of directors to explore a potential fare increase.

As WTOP first reported, Metro is exploring the possibility of charging for parking at lots and garages on the weekends -- a service that is normally free.

That proposal drew a cold response from board members.

"On weekends, I think we attract a lot of people because of the free parking," Benjamin said. "Many of those people continue to ride during the week. I am not a strong supporter of any parking increase on the weekends."

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