Every weekday the 2W Metrobus route shuttles an average of 177 passengers from the Vienna-Fairfax Metro station to Oakton and back again, according to Metro figures. That's not enough.
Last Thursday, the 2W line joined 10 underperforming bus routes in Virginia, four in Maryland and three in the District as possible routes to cut in order to save money.
Faced with a budget deficit of anywhere between $28 million and $36 million next year, members of the Metro board are considering 5-percent cuts to the entire system. The cuts would not only affect bus routes but could also be coupled with a fare increase. Last year, the board approved a 10-cent fare increase, the first in eight years.
Over the past four years, Metro has already pared its internal spending by $75 million, according to Metro spokesman Steven Taubenkibel.
"These cost-cutting measures have been invisible to the customer," he said.
THE TWO FAIRFAX COUNTY representatives on the Metro board said they understood that Metro needed to balance its budget but questioned the wisdom of cutting bus routes.
"Obviously there was a reason to put these routes here in the first place," said Supervisor Dana Kauffman (D-Lee). "Rather than cannibalizing the route in its entirety, how do we make changes to make it more economical?"
Kauffman said the route's hours of operation could be reduced, which would save money, while allowing most of its regular riders to keep the service.
Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill), who was appointed to the Metro board last month, said she was "cautious" about cutting bus routes.
"While we always want to be as efficient as possible, once we remove a bus route, we often are going to remove riders," she said. "I think it is a reflection of the kinds of efficiencies people are groping for at Metro. It is an extremely delicate balance considering the amount of service that we provide."
Last year, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors raised fares on the county's Connector bus service but decided against cutting lines.
Besides reductions in bus service, Metro officials are also considering other cuts that would save the system almost $48 million and eliminate 391 jobs.
These include cleaning trains, buses and stations less frequently; cutting back on the number of fare-card vending machines; scaling back the late night service on weekends; closing some stations late at night and running two-car trains after 10:30 p.m. on weeknights, as opposed to the current four-car trains. The opening of new stations in Prince George's County, Md., and the District could also be delayed. At its meeting this week, board members will explore the possibility of another fare increase, as well.
Kauffman said the idea of cleaning facilities less frequently was "anathema" to him. But he remained open to raising fares.
"Frankly, I'm always of the opinion that fare increases should always be on the table."
Taubenkibel said public hearings will take place around the region in early spring on proposed changes. Any service or fare change would take effect July 1.