Metro hopes to avoid parking fee increase

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Metro officials hope to avoid raising parking fees by an additional 25 cents this summer.

According to a report prepared by transit agency officials, a January fare increase has generated enough money so far that an additional price increase won’t be necessary.

Under Metro’s January fare hike, rush hour rail fares increased 30 to 60 cents, depending on the trip. Parking at suburban Metro stations increased 75 cents. The Metro board also said it reserved the right to raise parking fees another 25 cents in July.

In their report, transit agency staffers determined that the fare increase has not had a significant effect on Metro ridership.