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Yesterday, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) budget committee recommended a $1.55 billion fiscal-year 2006 budget.

The $1 billion operating budget — which would increase 8 percent compared with the $939 million fiscal-year 2005 budget — proposes funds to add police officers, customer service personnel, janitors, and track inspection and maintenance workers. The budget also includes funds to operate new parking garages at the West Fall Church, New Carrollton and College Park stations, and obtain new passenger cars, which are expected to be delivered later this year.

The committee’s proposed $537 million capital budget includes funds to purchase an additional 122 passenger cars, add up to 300 bomb-resistant trash cans on station platforms and mezzanines, maintain facilities in a state of good repair, and rehabilitate or replace ventilation and air conditioning systems, passengers cars, escalators and elevators.

The board is expected to vote on the budget next week.