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Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) officials recently approved a fare increase for fiscal-year 2005 — only the authority’s second fare hike in nine years, but the first occurred last year.

Starting June 27, the Metrorail base fare will increase from $1.20 to $1.35; maximum peak fares, from $3.60 to $3.90; one-day passes, from $6 to $6.50; and seven-day passes, from $30 to $32.50. Parking rates will rise 75 cents and monthly reserved parking permits will go up $10 to $45.

Along with taking more dollars out of passengers’ pockets, WMATA will be giving riders more service. Beginning Sept. 27, weekday morning trains will begin operating at terminal stations at 5 a.m. instead of 5:30 a.m.

The authority expects 1,700 passengers to use the earlier morning trains — mostly people who already ride Metrorail and will adjust their schedule. WMATA will spend about $515,000 during FY2005 to provide the extra half-hour.