WASHINGTON — Beginning next year, there will be fewer station managers at five Metro stations around the D.C. region. A spokesperson for Metro said the staffing cuts are in direct response to a looming fiscal cliff for the transit agency.
Beginning Jan. 1, staffing at five stations with multiple station managers will be reduced by one staff member during late nights and weekends, Metro spokesperson Ian Jannetta told WUSA9.
"The change is part of Metro's efforts to be as efficient as possible while facing unprecedented budget challenges," Jannetta said in an email.
He said the stations that will see cuts were chosen based on data showing extremely low late-night and weekend usage.
News of these cuts comes about a week after this year's "Capital Region Transportation Forum" organized by the Greater Washington Partnership alongside the Greater Washington Board of Trade.
At the forum, Metro General Manager Randy Clarke said the transit system could see service cuts as soon as spring if the agency is not able to close the $750 million gap in next year's budget.
Last month, Metro posted plans for how it could make up the financial shortfall. In a worst-case scenario, Metro says it could cut more than 60% of its service. Eliminating as many as 95 of its 134 bus routes and bumping wait times between trains from 6 to 12 minutes, up to 20 to 30 minutes.
Several Metro stations could be forced to close entirely and train service would end by 9:30 p.m., according to the transit agency. All while fares would go up.
Clarke is expected to present his 2024-2025 budget next week.