For months, transit advocates have dreaded the decision to raise fares and cut service throughout the D.C. Metro system. That day arrived last week. Changes take effect on July 1.
"[D.C.] Metro’s board gave final approval Thursday to fare increases and service cuts as part of an austere fiscal 2018 budget aimed at easing the transit agency’s financial struggles," reports Faiz Siddiqui.
The system's first fare hike in the last three years will increase fares for rail transit in peak hours by 10 cents. Rail transit fares during off-peak hours will increase by 25 cents. Bus fares will also increase by 25 cents.
"As part of changes approved in the $1.8 billion operating budget, riders also will spend more time on platforms, as trains arrive about every eight minutes across most of the system, with more frequent service in the downtown core," adds Siddiqui. "But there will be fewer trains overall on five of six rail lines."
The article includes more details about the changes coming to the Metro system, including an expected 500 layoffs, in addition to the 500 employees already laid off. Siddiqui quotes extensively from the justifications for the cuts from soundbites by Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld.
FULL STORY: Metro makes it official: Higher fares, reduced service coming July 1
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