Trips off campus could become more expensive next year under a proposal by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Rail fares would increase by an average of 30 cents per trip and bus fares would be up 5 cents per trip, according to a December press release.
The proposal, which is part of a plan to bridge Metro’s budget deficit for fiscal year 2008, includes plans to raise fares during peak hours while lowering off-peak fares. According to Metro Communications Program Manager Joanne Ferriera, Metro’s deficit is $70 million; the Washington Post reported it as $116 million.
Peak hours are 5-9:30 a.m. and 3-7 p.m. on weekdays and 2-3 a.m. on Fridays. The plan also includes a 35 cent “congestion charge” for getting off at 19 of the heaviest-traffic stations downtown during peak hours. The Dupont Circle and Rosslyn stations are heavy traffic stations, as is the Gallery Place-Chinatown stop for basketball games. With the increase and the charge, students will pay up to $2.10.
The new fares will feature discounts for riders who use the electronic SmarTrip cards instead of paper farecards to reduce the cost of producing the paper cards, Ferriera said.
If approved by Metro’s Budget Committee, the rate increases will take effect on July 1, 2007, when the FY 2008 budget goes into effect. Ferriera stressed that the increases are not final. “We’re looking at any way we can avoid raising fares,” Ferriera said.
Other facets of the proposal include opening at 8 a.m. on weekends, closingsecond entrances on weekends, reverting to holiday-level service on Columbus Day, Veterans’ Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents’ Day, and stopping service on up to 11 Metrobus routes.
Students expressed concern about the increase, but said that they would still take the Metro.
“I would still use the Metro because I don’t have a car and I don’t have a choice,” said Alexandra Aki (SFS ’10).
“If I have to get somewhere I’ll make the sacrifice.”
