Metro Board Member: Public Support Key To Growth

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A Metro board member says public support is a key to getting Maryland, Virginia and the federal government to pay for a new growth plan for the transit system.

The plan presented Thursday to the board could cost up to $26 billion. It calls for new tunnels in the district as well as extensions of current lines. Metro management says the changes are being proposed to deal with expected growth in ridership.

Metro board member Mary Hynes told The Washington Post the plans won't become reality unless the public says they want to pay for it. The Arlington County member says there is no cover for legislatures without public support.

The district, Maryland, Virginia and federal government contribute to Metro's operating and capital budgets, which total $2.5 billion.

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