Maryland, Virginia jurisdictions may increase bus fares

Fare increases are under consideration this month for bus services in Maryland and Virginia as area transit agencies face the same budgetary shortfalls that led Metro to raise fares by 10 cents per bus or rail trip last month.

Montgomery County's RideOn bus service could raise regular fares 10 cents per ride, from $1.25 to $1.35, and day passes 20 cents, from $3 to $3.20, under a proposal by County Executive Isiah Leggett (D). The council was scheduled to hold a hearing on the proposed fare increases Thursday night.

The fare increase comes as RideOn seeks to increase revenue to help cover an estimated $600 million gap in the county budget for the next fiscal year. Earlier cuts to RideOn service were proposed, drawing public opposition. In Alexandria, officials are expected to act Thursday to increase fares for DASH buses by as much as 25 cents per trip for next year, according to Sandy Modell, general manager of Alexandria Transit, which serves 14,000 riders daily. If approved, the fare increase will start in July.

"I think everybody is continuing to have budget issues," Modell said. "We have no choice but to look at raising the fares." Cutting service "is not the responsible thing to do," she said.

Fairfax County officials said the county is facing a potential $316 million budget shortfall for next year, but details about the impact on different services, including the Fairfax Connector, will not be known until the budget is released Feb. 23.

Arlington Transit officials did not return phone calls inquiring about fare increases or service cuts, but according to Modell, Arlington Transit and the Fairfax Connector normally boost their fares in tandem with Metro, indicating that a 10-cent fare increase is possible.

Prince George's County officials also did not return phone calls asking about bus fare increases or service cuts there.