Metro News Release

For immediate release: March 1, 2004

Metro sets nine public hearings on proposed fare, fee increases and new advertising initiatives

Nine public hearings in the District of Columbia, Suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia will be held between March 17 and 29 to receive the public’s input into proposed fare increases for Metrorail, Metrobus, and Metroaccess that would take affect in the next fiscal year, which begins the first week of July. At the same time, comments are also being solicited on a series of new advertising initiatives within the Metro system. All of the hearings will begin at 7 p.m. There will be a one-hour open house held at 6 p.m. before each hearing. The hearing dates and locations are as follows:

  • Wednesday, March 17 at South Fairfax County Government Center, Conference Room 221, 8350 Richmond Highway, Second Floor, Alexandria, Virginia (hearing number 500)
  • Thursday, March 18 at Westgate Elementary School in the cafeteria, 7500 Magarity Road, Falls Church, VA (hearing number 501)
  • Monday, March 22 at the Arlington County Board Office, Courthouse Metro Building, 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, third floor, Room 302, Arlington, VA (hearing number 502)
  • Monday, March 22 at Malcolm X Elementary School in the cafeteria, 1351 Alabama Ave., SE, Washington, DC (hearing number 503)
  • Tuesday, March 23 at the Montgomery County Executive Office Building in the auditorium, lobby level, 101 Monroe St., Rockville, MD (hearing number 504)
  • Wednesday, March 24 at the Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex, 8001 Sheriff Road, Landover, MD (hearing number 505)
  • Thursday, March 25, at Metro headquarters in the Jackson Graham Building, lobby level, 600 Fifth St., NW, Washington, DC (hearing number 506)
  • Thursday, March 25 at Alexandria City Hall, 301 King Street, Alexandria, VA (hearing number 507)
  • Monday, March 29 at Janney Elementary School in the cafeteria, 4130 Albermarle St., NW, Washington, DC (hearing number 508)
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) is faced with a significant budget shortfall for Fiscal Year 2005, which begins the week of June 27. To address this shortfall without having to reduce Metrobus and Metrorail service, Metro will reduce its operating budget by at least $30 million, receive up to a 4.5 percent increase in state and local government subsidy, and will be required to generate additional passenger and non-passenger revenue. In addition, budget shortfalls are anticipated to occur in the near future, and this may require a predictable mechanism to generate additional passenger revenue on an ongoing basis.The public hearings will seek comment from the public on: 1) proposed adjustments to passenger fares; 2) proposed adjustments to parking rates and fees; 3) proposals to implement future multi-year fare adjustments; 4) proposals to identify a method of indexing future fare adjustments; 5) proposed modifications to advertising practices and advertising revenue; and 6) proposals to increase parking fees by 30 cents, with the resulting revenues to be dedicated to improving access to the Metrorail system through initiatives such as feeder bus service, additional parking, and pedestrian walkways.

How to register to speak at the public hearings

All organizations or individuals desiring to be heard with respect to the proposed adjustments to passenger fares, parking rates and fees or proposed modification to advertising practices and revenue will be afforded the opportunity to present their views and make supporting statements and to offer alternative proposals. In order to establish a witness list, individuals and representatives of organizations who wish to be heard at these public hearings are requested to furnish in writing their name, address, telephone number and organization affiliation, if any, to Harold Bartlett, Secretary, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 600 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001. Alternatively, individuals may fax this information to Mr. Bartlett at 202-962-1133. Please submit only one speaker’s name per letter. Lists of individual speakers will not be accepted. Others present at the hearing may be heard after those persons who have registered have spoken. Public officials will be heard first and will be allowed 10 minutes each to make their presentations. All other speakers will be allowed three minutes each.

How to submit written statements

Written statements and exhibits may be submitted until close of business on Tuesday, March 30, to Harold Bartlett, Secretary, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 600 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001. Alternatively, individuals may send an email to public-hearing-testimony@wmata.com. Please reference docket number B04-2 and the hearing number listed above in the submission.These public hearings are being conducted in locations accessible to persons with disabilities. Any individual who requires special assistance, such as a sign language interpreter, to participate in the public hearing should contact Leen’da Chambliss at 202-962-2595 or TDD 2-2-638-3780 at least 10 days prior to the public hearing for Metro to make necessary arrangements.

News release issued on March 1, 2004.