Last week, I finally received the records I requested in back in March. However, WMATA did not provide the proper format. In my letter, I specifically requested “a format suitable to be viewed in a spreadsheet application. This includes, but is not limited to, Microsoft Excel, Google Spreadsheets, XML, or CSV (Comma Separated Values). I will not accept this report as a printed document.” The reports were sent to me in PDF format.
WMATA instituted it’s largest ever fare hike, costing Metro riders at least $.30 more per trip. The excuse this time is “to close a $189 million budget gap for the fiscal year.” This was the same excuse used when Metro proposed an emergancy $.10 fare hike.
On June 10, 2010, the WMATA Board approved the FY2011 budget. From the FY2010 budget, there was a $189 million shortfall. The changes to the FY2010 budget were as follows:
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After two long months, WMATA has finally replied back with my PARP request. The good news is that they will fulfill the request. The bad news is that it’s going to cost $208.00. WMATA denied my request for a fee waiver, which was expected. Here is their response in it’s entirety:
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Posted by
mike |
Categories:
Editorial | Tagged:
afl-cio,
metro,
ncr,
unions,
wmata |
A couple of weeks ago, I introduced my “private investigation” of the WMATA system here in Washington, DC. Initial results were that WMATA was spending more than 75% on salaries, which seems awfully high considering that they have one of the worst safety records. Only 3% of their expenditures account for “preventive maintenance.”
As a result of this, I sent WMATA’s legal counsel a Public Access to Records Policy request, which is similar to a Freedom of Information Act request.
Here is the e-mail I received this morning:
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Like most people who live in the National Capital Region (NCR), I use the WMATA Metro system to get to work. Over the last two years, WMATA has increased fares at least 3 times:
There are other fares that were increased but were not included. Service was also trimmed several times in the last two years.
WMATA, unlike most other subway systems, does not have any dedicated funding from local governments. Ignoring the fact that they get money from the federal, VA, MD, and DC government every year, the fact is that there is no law saying that these agencies will fund WMATA. WMATA likes to bring this up every so often to remind people that this is why cuts must be made and fares should increase.
I say bull.
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Posted by
mike |
Categories:
Editorial | Tagged:
afl-cio,
atu,
dc,
mafia,
metro,
ncr,
unions,
wmata |