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The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) recently proposed a $1.9 billion fiscal-year 2008 budget that includes a fare increase and job cuts.

The $1.2 billon operating budget is 9 percent higher compared with FY2007, primarily due to inflation and service expansions, as well as higher workers’ compensation, pension and utility costs. To help cover the increased costs, WMATA officials have proposed eliminating 34 administrative positions, reducing underutilized rail and bus services, and implementing a “core area charge” that would raise fares by up to 35 cents for passengers riding into downtown Washington, D.C., during peak periods.

In addition, officials proposed opening the Metrorail system at 8 a.m. on weekends instead of 7 a.m.; closing underutilized entrances on weekends at facilities with multiple entrances; and re-establishing holiday service on Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and President’s Day, rather than operating regular service as WMATA did this year.

The $734 million FY2008 capital budget includes funds to take delivery of 122 new passenger cars by summer 2008, replace track and switches, rehabilitate tunnels and aerial structures, replace aging support equipment, and upgrade the communications system.

The board will review the budget during the next six months. WMATA’s new fiscal year begins July 1.