Metro To Lose $8M Due To Federal Budget Cuts

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Metro stands to lose $8 million in federal funding for capital projects because of automatic budget cuts.

Metro receives $150 million a year in federal funds to match money contributed by the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia for capital projects. Chief Financial Officer Carol Kissal says the reduction will affect long-term projects.

Some bus purchases and station improvements will likely be delayed. Also, plans to replace the electronic fare card system with one that would allow riders to pay with credit cards could be deferred and reduced in scope.

Metro had expected to lose $12 million in capital funding. But the agency says it was notified March 1 that the cut would be less.

Metro says it could lose an additional $10 million if federal worker furloughs decrease ridership.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)