County looks into Metro hike


August 25, 2008 · Updated 10:13 PM 

  • 0
  • Print Story
  • Letter/Editor

King County Council members are considering a fare hike on Metro Transit this week to help offset the rising costs of fuel.

Rising fuel prices, an economic downturn and suburban route service expansions have surged Metro ridership numbers to record levels. The new-found enthusiasm for transit, however, also is creating a funding crisis: Metro will receive $40 million less in sales tax revenue in 2008-2009 than originally projected and pay an extra $36 million for fuel.

“Areas such as Covington and Kent’s East Hill have exploded from rural villages to full-blown urban centers and the people who live there need more transportation options,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn.

A King County Council meeting on the issue of public transportation was held Monday evening in Covington after the Kirkland Reporter’s deadline. A proposal to raise fares was recently heard at the county’s Transportation Committee and they are scheduled to take up the matter again at a Wednesday, Aug. 27 afternoon hearing.

Kirkland’s representative on the County Council, Jane Hague, also is a member of the Transportation Committee.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.

So keep your comments:

  • Civil
  • Smart
  • On-topic
  • Free of profanity

We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters. We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.

blog comments powered by Disqus