Maryland Should Find the Money for Metrobus

The April 18 editorial "A Session Ends in Annapolis" noted that Maryland's budget "offers little in the way of sacrifice."

Let me cite one sacrifice: public transportation. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority board of directors recently proposed eliminating some bus routes in Montgomery and Prince George's counties. Gov. Martin O'Malley's budget increased the state's subsidies to Metro, but apparently not enough to prevent service cuts. Without a bigger Maryland subsidy, Metro will be forced to eliminate 11 bus lines, including two that also serve District riders.

Despite President Obama's new money for Maryland's public transportation, the state's political leaders apparently believe they cannot afford to maintain existing bus lines. One line slated for elimination has been running in some form since 1903, when the Glen Echo streetcar started. Its successor is the D5, a rush-hour bus that provides the only direct link between some close-in Maryland neighborhoods and downtown Washington via a 30-minute ride. Any public transport alternative would take an hour and further burden an overcrowded Metrorail.

Is the current economic crisis so severe that the state's leaders believe they cannot afford a public transport link to the District that has existed for 106 years? Or do they favor cars over public transportation?

BASIL SCARLIS

Bethesda