Metro is contemplating what to do with a possible $13 million budget shortfall caused by the increased price of fuel. Metro had originally budgeted diesel prices at $2.60-a-gallon to cover 11 million gallons used to fuel the current fleet of buses, but current prices have exceeded $4 per gallon. One option is to increase fares to help cover the different. Metro is subsidized by King County taxes and the fare passengers pay only contribute to a portion of the total operating costs required to run the system.

Ridership is up 18% this year as more people take to the bus. I’ve noticed an influx of passengers over the last few months, especially on days with nice weather. Metro will soon need to add more coaches and routes, but with the price of fuel rising, that may have to wait. Metro already currently receives the maximum allowed through county taxes and have been phasing out “bus wraps” due to passenger complaints. There aren’t many options left to create more revenue.

I read about Metro’s situation this morning and was surprised when the driver of my last bus home from school gave everyone a free ride. He even handed transfers to those who were trying to pay cash (instead of a bus pass). I would have thought that Metro would crack down on “free” rides, or maybe they were giving away “free” rides tonight to entice more riders. I do know that regardless of the reason behind the driver’s action tonight, most of the passengers were smiling as they sat down.

(reference story)