How to Rip Up the Region
IT WAS BOUND to happen when the full force of the recession hit the pockets of this regionÛªs governments, but today there is even more evidence that budget pressures are threatening to destroy Metro, the Council of Governments and other important city-suburban institutions, While some of the effects might not be felt immediately by the public, breakdowns in bus service, higher costs of transportation, delays in road projects and other costly setbacks could occur if disputes between the local governments arenÛªt resolved soon.</br></br>ÐÊ Metro: The Metro board has ordered General Manager Lawrence G. Reuter to cut District bus service and raise fares if the city does not pay the transit agency the $18 million that it owes by Feb. 1. This isn't a new dispute. In fact, the current city administration has been relying on delays in Metro payments to help balance its annual budget booksÛÓon paper if not in reality. This week, as they have done in the past, the regional board members agreed to allow Mr. Reuter to borrow money to pay Metro's billsÛÓ including its payrollÛÓuntil the District government pays its full, agreed-upon share, plus interest.</br></br>If that doesnÛªt happen, the options Mr. Reuter is considering are shutting down night and weekend bus service in the District; eliminating any bus routes that duplicate rail routes; ending discount fares for schoolchildren; raising the fares for the elderly and disabled from 30 cents to 50 cents; and increasing special 35-cent fares on Anacostia buses to 60 cents.</br></br>Some of these economies may have to be made Û¢ even if the city pays its current bill, given the staggering budget problems already confronting a government in transition and under strict congressional orders. But mass transit in the city is not a designated charity for suburban taxpayers. There is enough friction within the partnership already, with participating governments re-- placing Metro bys service on certain routes with VÛ¢ buses run by Tither operators. While this may yield some savings for the individual governments, it tends to raise overhead costs for the remaining regional bus and rail services.</br></br>ÐÊ	Northern Virginia: The Great Disney Wars have led some officials in Virginia to ask Gov. Allen to pull out from the regional Transportation Planning Board and to form a new agency just for Northern Virginia. Their complaintÛÓso far undocumentedÛÓis that some Maryland and District board members interfered with Virginia's efforts to help Disney build in Haymarket.