WASHINGTON (AP) — Fares are going up for riders of Washington’s Metro transit system.

Metro’s board of directors voted Thursday for the first increase in bus and rail fares in the system in two years. The hike raises the average rail fare by about 5 percent. Bus fares are increasing by a dime, rising to $1.60 for those who use SmarTrip cards. The rates take effect July 1.

Two weeks ago, a board committee approved the fare increases.

Metro officials hope to use revenue from the fee increases to help close a budget gap of about $100 million for the next fiscal year.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)