Despite losses of commuters to telework, ridership has outpaced expectations, potentially helping Metro avoid major service cuts.
That day might not come as soon as initially expected, according to a snapshot Metro released Monday of the transit system’s financial information. The transit agency will need to bridge a roughly $185 million budget gap in the next fiscal year to continue operating at current service levels and — at some point in the coming months — pay for increased Metrorail train frequencies when its full fleet becomes available.
“I think we’ll have enough tools — or I’m hopeful we will have enough tools with the [Metro] board to be able to avoid things like a fare increase or service cuts,” Metro General Manager Randy Clarke said in an interview last month. “If we can do that, I think the following year is where we have to just get to a point where we have to do something. And that’s not just us. It’s big agencies all over the country. ”With the help of nearly $2.
Metro effectively erased a $2 bus-rail transfer fee by discounting transfers to Metrobus, and transit officials began offering cheaper seven-day regional bus passes and monthly unlimited passes.Metro officials hope the fare cuts, discounts and service changes — including later rail service that went into effect this year — will attract fare-paying riders, but growth has been slow as federal money has begun to dwindle.
Other ideas that could be discussed include phasing out distance-based charging, reducing bus fares to $1 to help low-income residents and encourage more riders, and lowering parking fees to encourage more rail riders.Metro records show how transit use has shifted into the pandemic’s third year.
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