Metro News Release

For immediate release: October 27, 2009

Metro to host public forums in Maryland on proposed fiscal year 2011 budget

Metro's budget shortfall the topic

Metro will host two public forums in Maryland to address Metro’s critical budget issues including operating challenges and capital needs for the fiscal year 2011 budget. The transit agency is facing a potential $100 million budget shortfall for fiscal year 2011, which begins July 1, 2010.

The Montgomery County forum will be held on Tuesday, November 3, at the Kennedy High School cafeteria, 1901 Randolph Road, Silver Spring, MD. The Prince George’s County forum will be held on Wednesday, November 18, at Prince George’s Community College Rennie Forum, Largo Student Center, 301 Largo Road, Largo, MD. Both programs will begin at 7 p.m. and include an opportunity for public comment.

Metro First Vice Chairperson Peter Benjamin and Metro Board Member Gordon Linton will attend the Montgomery County forum, and Metro Board Members Elizabeth Hewlett and Marcell Solomon will attend the Prince George’s County forum.

Metro General Manager John Catoe will give a presentation that outlines Metro’s fiscal challenges as well as some possible solutions. A public discussion will follow.

The cost of Metrobus, Metrorail and MetroAccess services is funded in part by passenger revenues and, in part, by subsidies provided by the District of Columbia, the State of Maryland and local jurisdictions in Virginia.

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Media contact for this news release: Bessy Guevara or Lisa Farbstein at 202-962-1051.
For all other inquiries, please call customer service at 202-637-7000.

News release issued at 12:00 pm, October 27, 2009.