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VIA WTOP:

Metro riders could see fares go up again to help close a budget gap.

The transit agency has a $189 million budget gap for the fiscal year that starts in July. In order to close the gap, interim Metro General Manager Richard Sarles will recommend a number of changes Thursday.

Sarles is expected to recommend an increase in the base peak rail fares from $1.65 to $1.90. Off-peak fares would go from $1.35 to $1.55. Bus fares would jump from $1.25 to $1.50, and 10 cents more would be added to fares if riders paid with cash.

Metro raised fares this year. Those increases, which are effective through June 26, changed the base peak rail fare from $1.65 to $1.75 and the off-peak charge from $1.35 to $1.45. Bus fares increased from $1.35 to $1.45.

All parking fees would see a 50-cent increase, under the recommendations to be made Thursday.

Weekend service cuts would include closing at 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Now Metro stays open until 3 a.m. Changes also would be made to holiday service.

Metro’s board of directors will have to approve the proposed changes before they would take effect. The earliest the changes would take effect is July.

Read more here