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St. Louis’ Metro recently approved a $221.6 million operating budget for fiscal-year 2009. However, the agency faces a $19.2 million shortfall, due in part to St. Louis County reducing its annual appropriation by more than $8 million.

The budget does not call for service reductions or fare hikes, but both could be necessary if the agency doesn’t obtain a new revenue source, Metro said. Later this month, the agency will hold public hearings to obtain feedback on potential fare adjustments and service reductions that could be implemented in January 2009.