Metrobuses at No Charge(

The Jan. 30 Metro article "$5.28 Million Asked for Inaugural Transit" noted that Metro board members don't expect to have enough money to maintain service at current levels.

For the past seven weeks, I have used Metro buses and trains extensively while on an extended visit to the D.C. area. I have noticed that, on an alarmingly regular basis, buses cannot accept cash or scan a SmarTrip card because the cash acceptor/card scanner is out of order. If my seven-week experience with Metrobuses is the rule and not the exception, the system is leaving a portion of its stated revenue shortfall in its customers' pockets.

AL POGUE

Kennewick, Wash.