Metro’s Plans for 2009: No Fare Hike, Completed Gold Line

Gold Line Trains to East LA Should Be Online in ’09

Buried in a press release announcing the public comment
period on Metro’s 2009 budget, was a bit of good news for straphangers and bus
riders: Metro will not have a fare increase in the 2009 Fiscal Year (July
2008-July 2009).

Other highlights from Metro’s 2009 draft budget include:

The
total draft budget is $3.370 billion, which is
$230 million or 7.3 percent more than the current Metro budget.

45% of the budget, over 1.5 billion, will be spent on
bus operating and capital budgets.

$634 million or 18.8 percent will be spent on highway
and other non-transit projects and programs.

By the end of FY09, the full rapid bus system – 25
lines operated by Metro and three by municipal bus operators crisscrossing the
county – should be in place.

Construction of the six mile extension of the Metro
Gold Line light rail line from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles to East Los Angeles should be
completed, and construction of the Expo light rail line from downtown to Culver City
will be well underway.

Metro reached 5% rail ridership growth.  No word
on bus ridership or total ridership.

In FY09, Metro will initiate the gating program at
subway and many light rail stations to reduce fare evasion, and protect us from
terrorists.

To read Metro’s full press
release, click here.

Metro will hold a public
hearing on the budget on Wednesday, May 14, at 2:30 p.m. in the Board Room at Metro
Headquarters.  The public can view copies
of the budget proposal at Metro.net or request a copy by calling Charlene
Aguayo in Metro Records Management at (213) 922-2342.

Metro directors will consider adopting the
budget at the May 22, Board meeting.

Photo:Salaam Allah West
Coast
Transitphotography
KING/Flickr