From the Washington Post: Metro may a regionwide system, but its rail riders tend to think of themselves as patrons of a particular line. Tonight, when the transit authority holds the first of its fare increase hearings in Virginia, Orange Line riders probably will dominate the discussion.
They may want to know about plans to ease the Orange Crush they experience each weekday morning or about the maintenance program that sometimes splits their line or at least requires trains to share tracks on weekends.
The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, February 29 at 7 p.m. at the Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School cafeteria, 7130 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Because of the location and the timing, it’s unlikely to draw many commuters who live farther west and might be more likely to complain about the size of the proposed fare increases.
The fare increases the Metro board is considering average about 5 percent, but the impact is greater on those who drive to the outer stations, pay to park, then take a long ride to work and back.
While the school is within walking distance of the West Falls Church Metrorail station and several bus stops, people who live far to the west and have worked a long day aren’t inclined to interrupt the evening commute by offering formal testimony about their anger with the service.
That’s certainly understandable, but it is a shame that more people don’t take the time to speak directly with Metro’s senior managers in charge of the service and the board members who approve the fare increases [read the rest].
