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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Here are the dates for Metro's public
hearings. You can submit testimony by phone, but I think it is a good idea
of people go in person.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>News Release For immediate release: February 10,
2012<BR>Metro seeks public input on FY13 budget and fare proposals Public
hearings scheduled Feb. 27 to March 7 Metro will host a series of public
meetings to encourage participation and dialogue regarding its FY2013 budget and
fare proposal, Feb. 27 to March 7. The proposed operating and capital budgets
for the next fiscal year support the critical rebuilding of the Metro system,
and improving safety and reliability. The budget also provides service
enhancements such as additional rush hour rail service, improved escalator
maintenance, enhanced bus corridor services, increased security and continued
compliance with National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendations.
Metro’s Board of Directors will host six public hearings in Washington, D.C.,
Maryland and Virginia beginning Feb. 27, where members of the public may provide
formal testimony regarding the budget and fare proposals. Preceding each of the
formal public hearings, Metro will host an hour-long Open Forum with multimedia
stations to engage stakeholders and solicit public input. The Open Forum will
include a video presentation on Metro’s rebuilding program, tables staffed by
senior Metrobus, Metrorail, MetroAccess, SmarTrip and police officials who will
be available to talk with participants and answer individual questions, and a
third station where computers will be made available to take an online survey
regarding Metro’s priorities, as well as to submit written comments for the
record. The public hearing portion of the sessions will provide an opportunity
for comment on the docket of budget actions. To review the docket, visit <A
href="http://www.wmata.com/hearings">www.wmata.com/hearings</A> . The open
forums present an opportunity for members of the public to learn about Metro’s
current work to improve service and provide comments and suggestions on any
topic, including subjects that are not on the docket. The Board is slated to act
on the FY2013 budget in June, and any fare changes they adopt would take effect
July 2012. The operating budget of $1.6 billion includes a proposed $53 million
(8%) increase in funding from the jurisdictions and $66 million in increased
revenue from fares. The fare adjustments also are designed to simplify Metro’s
fare structure and encourage the use of SmarTrip cards. The proposed $904
million capital budget includes projects that will advance NTSB recommendations,
including signal system upgrades and replacement of Metro’s oldest railcars, the
1000-series fleet, with new 7000-series cars, as well as track and
infrastructure projects and rehabilitation, and replacement of escalators and
elevators across the system. Details and directions for transit travel to the
public sessions are available on Metro’s website. Open forums begin at 6 p.m.,
followed by the public hearings at 7 p.m. The hearings will take place as
follows: Monday, Feb. 27 Bethesda Chevy Chase Regional Services Center – Hearing
569 4805 Edgemoor Lane Bethesda, MD Wednesday, Feb. 29 Mary Ellen Henderson
Middle School Cafeteria – Hearing 570 7130 Leesburg Pike Falls Church, VA
Thursday, March 1 Matthews Memorial Baptist Church – Hearing 571 John H.
Kearney, Sr. Fellowship Hall 2616 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., SE Washington, DC
Monday, March 5 Washington Lee High School Cafeteria – Hearing 572 1301 N
Stafford St Arlington, VA Tuesday, March 6 St. Columba’s Episcopal Church –
Hearing 573 4201 Albemarle Street, NW Washington, DC Wednesday, March 7 First
United Methodist Church – Hearing 574 6201 Belcrest Road Hyattsville, MD How to
register to speak at the public hearing To establish a witness list for the
public hearings, individuals and representatives of organizations who wish to be
heard at the hearings are asked to provide in writing their name, address,
telephone number and organization affiliation, if any, to Office of the
Secretary, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 600 Fifth Street, NW,
Washington, D.C. 20001. Alternatively, requests to speak may befaxed to
202-962-1133 or e-mailed to <A
href="mailto:speak@wmata.com">speak@wmata.com</A>. Please submit only one
speaker’s name per letter and reference the hearing number. Lists of individual
speakers will not be accepted. Others present at the hearing may be heard after
people who have registered have spoken. Please note that this information may be
releasable to the public under the WMATA Public Access to Records Policy (PARP).
The PARP can be viewed on WMATA’s website under the link marked “Legal Affairs.”
Public officials will be heard first and will be allowed five minutes each to
make their presentations. All other speakers will be allowed three minutes each.
Relinquishing of time by one speaker to another will not be permitted. How to
submit written comments Written statements and exhibits may be sent to the
Office of the Secretary, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 600
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001, or e-mailed to <A
href="mailto:writtentestimony@wmata.com">writtentestimony@wmata.com</A>.
Statements also may be faxed to 202-962-1133. Please reference the hearing
number. Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 12. Please note
that any personal information such as name, e-mail address, address, or
telephone number you provide in the statement may be releasable to the public
under the WMATA Public Access to Records Policy . Additionally, a survey on
possible options to balance the budget will be available on Metro’s website at
<A href="http://www.wmata.com">www.wmata.com</A>. Participants will be asked for
their name and address and then asked to respond to questions about possible
strategies for Metro to balance its budget. Names and addresses will not be
released to anyone. This option is in addition to the ability to speak at a
public hearing or to submit a written statement. The site will open by 5 p.m. on
Wednesday, Feb. 22 and will close at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 12. The locations
of all public hearings are wheelchair accessible. Any individual who requires
special assistance such as a sign language interpreter or additional
accommodation to participate in the public hearings, or who requires these
materials in an alternate format, should contact Danise Peña at 202-962-2511 or
TTY: 202-638-3780 as soon as possible in order for Metro to make necessary
arrangements. MetroAccess customers who wish to provide comments by telephone
may call (202) 962-1141 between these dates Feb. 22 and March 12, and their
comments will be transcribed and provided to WMATA’s Board and Management. News
release issued at 3:06 pm, February 10, 2012. Subscribe to notifications of
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