Caroline Tucker
WMAL.com
Metro’s general manager says the system is “fast approaching” a breaking point when it comes to finances. During a phone call with reporters, he stressed that he has had to make some tough decisions in order to get the transit agencies finances in order. Metro’s latest ridership numbers show that commuters finding other ways to get around.
Ridership was down 12% from June to December in 2016, compared with the previous year. The system’s major maintenance program, SafeTrack, started last June and is expected to run through June 2017. It’s the one thing that GM Paul Wiedefeld says he won’t suggest cutting –
“We can never go backwards on how we view the safety of the system. And we cannot do that,” said Wiedefeld.
However, service cuts, fare hikes, and job cuts are on the table when it comes to fixing Metro’s bottom line.
There is a $275 million projected budget gap for next year.
“It’s a combination of getting ridership back, controlling costs and then just dealing with the structural financial issues that we have,” said Wiedefeld.
It will be up to Metro’s Board of Directors to decide how best to make sure the system has enough money to operate.
The board meets on Thursday to talk about what’s next.
Copyright 2017 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (PHOTO: WMAL)
