Metro floats 11% fare increase and free rides for regional youth

Metro riders could pay about 11% more per trip starting next summer under fare concepts Metro staff presented to the transit agency’s board this month, a plan that would also make bus and rail rides free for young people across the region.

The proposals were outlined in materials for the Oct. 8 meeting of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority board’s finance and capital committee. They are concepts for Metro’s 2028 fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2027, and none has been adopted.

What riders would pay

Under the main proposal, an inflation-based increase of 11.1%, Metrorail fares would rise from the current range of $2.25 to $6.75 to a range of $2.50 to $7.50. The increase would apply across all fares and passes, including MetroAccess, according to the board document. WJLA reported that the base Metrobus fare would go from $2.25 to $2.50.

Metro staff estimated the increase would raise $40 million to $45 million a year while reducing ridership by about 8 million trips, figures the document says could change as revenue forecasts are refined.

Staff also laid out options for weekend and late-night fares, which currently top out at a lower level than weekday fares. Those options range from a flat $2.50 weekend fare, which would cost Metro money but add riders, to a $3.75 cap, which would raise revenue. A separate option would end the discount for late-night weekday trips.

Free rides for kids

The plan would let children ages 5 through 18 who live in D.C., Maryland or Virginia ride Metrorail and Metrobus for free. Children under 5 already ride free.

The District already pays for its own Kids Ride Free program, so the change would mainly benefit families in the suburbs, WJLA reported. Metro estimated the program’s net cost at $7 million, split roughly evenly between Maryland and Virginia, and projected it would add about 900,000 trips, according to the board materials and FOX 5 DC.

Other changes on the table

The board document also describes:

• Parking: Daily parking rates at Metro lots would be set by demand, at $3 at 23 lightly used lots, $5 at 14 moderately used lots and $7 at the three busiest.
• Low-income discount: The Metro Lift half-price program, now open to SNAP recipients, would expand to people enrolled in Medicaid, TANF and WIC.
• Holidays: Weekend fares would apply on 11 federal holidays.
• Replacement cards: Fees for replacing MetroAccess and disability cards, now $10 for the first replacement and $25 after that, would drop to $2, matching other reduced-fare cards.

Half-price fares for seniors and people with disabilities would continue.

FOX 5 reported that Metro declined an interview request and emphasized that the ideas are only proposals.

What happens next

According to the board materials, Metro’s general manager is expected to publish a proposed FY2028 budget, including any fare changes, in December. The board would be asked to authorize a public hearing this winter so riders can weigh in, and the budget adoption process is scheduled for February through April 2027. If approved, new fares would take effect July 1, 2027, WJLA reported.