Metro Chief Lays Out '09 Budget Plan for System

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ALTHOUGH METRO'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS isn't expected to approve the transit agency's 2009 budget until June, Metro General Manager John Catoe, pictured at right, has laid out his proposed $1.7 billion road map for the next fiscal year, which starts in July. The proposed operating budget, $1.3 billion, is $167 million more than last year's spending plan.

According to Metro, here's part of what's in store for the proposed 2009 budget.

» $19 million for service improvements across the rail, bus and paratransit systems.
» More eight-car trains for Metrorail.
» $3 million to improve on-time performance for buses.
» One hundred new MetroAccess vehicles for paratransit service would be added.
» More strobe lights for Metrobuses in Virginia and Maryland after their introduction in the District last year. Additional pedestrian safety programs are planned.

The capital improvement budget, about $445 million, would go primarily toward the purchase of new train cars and buses, along with escalator rehabilitations and facilities upgrades. By June 2009, all 184 of the new 6000 Series rail cars, which were introduced last year, will be in place, along with 203 new buses, Metro says.

If you're a rush-hour Metrorail rider, the increased fares you're now paying will help generate more revenue for the agency. According to projections, the larger fares and an expected increase in ridership — a 2.5 percent hike for rail, 1 percent for bus and 16 percent for MetroAccess — will generate $789 million, $134 million more than last year, Metro says.

» "Metro Budget Proposal Calls for More Eight-Car Trains and Buses" [WMATA]

Photo by Melina Mara/The Washington Post