Some of Metro鈥檚 sidelined railcars might finally go back in service this summer, along with cheaper rail fares for late-night riders, under a new budget.
Starting in July, late night Metrorail fares 鈥� for trips trip after 9:30 p.m. 鈥� will be $2 and unlimited too, under a $4.5 billion budget passed by the Metro Board of Directors.
Earlier changes will be made permanent, including free rail-bus transfers and $2 flat-rate, one-way rail fares on weekends.
The new budget would also lock-in rail service improvements 鈥� once troubled 7000-series railcars return.
鈥淭he service and fare changes in this budget will be helpful for our system,鈥� said Metro board member Matt Letourneau.
He said the changes would help make the system 鈥渕ore equitable (and) better equipped to serve our riders鈥� needs and their travel patterns.鈥�
Some increased bus service will be made permanent as well.
relies on federal money 鈥渢o maintain service as we emerge from the pandemic,鈥� Letourneau said, 鈥渁nd we鈥檙e really grateful for that support.鈥�
But he warned of a 鈥渟ignificant fiscal issue鈥� coming in fiscal year 2024. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 something the board will have to grapple with.”
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