WMATA Proposes Fare Increase To Cover Budget Shortfall; Irate Customers Erupt on Twitter
January 10, 2012 at 8:41 pm
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Proposed Metro fare increases are shown below (courtesy of Washington Post).
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Metro proposes 5 percent fare increase
Metro proposes to increase bus and rail fares by about 5 percent, raise parking rates and eliminate a controversial rush-hour surcharge t… -
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The continued sub-par service and prolonged operational deficiencies on Metro have left the already fuming riders on the system even more irate. And some of them are now venting it out on the social media channels, particularly on Twitter. Here is a sample of the community reaction on Twitter:
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“Really, #wmata? $4 fee and $6 rush-hour for paper farecard holders? Way to send a big F you to out-of-towners wapo.st/wnuA0y
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“I refuse to give DC Metro, any more money to be stranded on trains, ride on leaky buses, or be late to work #wmata
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““They keep increasing the fare, but they’re not increasing the service.” #wmata
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“RT @embraceurcrazy If government employees are being furloughed and are suffering pay freezes so should #wmata <Preach PREACHA!!!!
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“Obviously #wmata your management team has not properly managed and budgeted effectively nor efficiently over the past decade or 2. Fire’m!
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“10 minute wait at 6pm for next train at Farragut north the day metro wants to raise fares…r u kidding me #WMATA #metroclosesdoors
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“Dicky Sarles “let them eat cake” attitude towards riders concerns re fare hikes is arrogant. Riders will revolt Dicky! #wmata @wmata
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“Every time #wmata announces the possibility of a fare increase, service nosedives. Srsly. Today’s commute is taking FOREVER.
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“RT @postlocal: #Metro fare hike proposal infuriates riders already frustrated by service wapo.st/yDwzkO #wmata
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“SIX DOLLARS FOR RUSH HOUR? I’m moving. // RT @washingtonpost Metro proposes fare increase: wapo.st/zP7c5F #WMATA
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“#WMATA wants to charge passengers more for increasingly worse and erratic service – ow.ly/8oeYY
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“#wmata is synonymous w/FARE HIKE! so over it! this makes driving more attractive
Metro proposes 5 percent fare increase washingtonpost.com/local/c… -
“#wmata’s actions have reached way beyond the point of absurdity. RT @washingtonpost: Metro proposes fare increase: wapo.st/zP7c5F
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Looks like WMATA is not getting any love from the angry commuters anytime soon.. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the days ahead. The terrible thing that can happen due to this proposal is that some of the riders, esp. the ones living in the suburbs, might just give up on Metro for this high-cost+poor service mess and opt to drive, which will significantly impact the already exploding traffic in the DMV region. Every car we keep off the road will go a long way in alleviating the congestion and other allied traffic ailments at the regional level. On the other hand, this mess could also offer a jump in the biking (an uptick in the bikeshare?).
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In any case, WMATA has a huge image/perception makeover issue on its hands and it would be wise to address some of these issues before coming out with such proposed increases.. Yeah, we know you are cash strapped and also working hard to improve the service but it has not really showed up when we swiped the card at the fare gates and walked in to the platform expecting a decent service(if not great). Hope that is not too much to ask from WMATA. Should you feel compelled, you can definitely express yourself in the poll conducted by the local TV station ABC7.
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“ABC7’s Poll of the Day: Would another #wmata fare hike make you reconsider your daily commute? VOTE: wj.la/zN0kws
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