Transit Fares Rise In D.C.

"After months of contentious debate, the board compromised in a 5 to 1 vote that will raise the subway rush-hour boarding charge by 30 cents, to $1.65 per trip, and increase daily parking fees, which are as high as $4, by 75 cents for six months. The board has an option to raise parking fees an additional quarter after that."

"The fare and fee hikes are scheduled to take effect Jan. 6 and would be the first such increases in four years, officials said. There are no increases for off-peak subway fares or MetroAccess. Bus fares would increase by a dime for cash-paying passengers but would remain $1.25 for riders who pay with electronic SmarTrip cards."

"As a result, rush-hour riders, who make up the biggest portion of daily users, will experience the largest increases. A trip from the Vienna Metrorail station to Dupont Circle would increase from $3.65 to $4.35; a trip from Shady Grove to Tenleytown would go from $3.35 to $4."

"The fare hikes are intended to raise $109 million to help close a projected shortfall in next year's budget and help cover rising energy costs, expanded service and growing maintenance needs. Local governments served by Metro will also be paying more to the agency to cover the budget gap. Officials estimate that the plan would raise $3 million to $4 million less than the targeted $109 million and that some, but not many, passengers would stop riding."