Senator 'Happy' to Block Metro Funding

WASHINGTON -- Worn-out and run down, the Metro system is in disrepair. The transit agency's financial troubles are well documented, with nearly $500 million needed to fix a list of "urgent unfunded needs" -- everything from crumbling platforms to frail track fasteners that are supposed to keep rail lines in place.

But as Metro looks toward Capitol Hill for help, one major roadblock is standing in the way: Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla.

Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., has authored a bill which would provide $1.5 billion for Metro over the next 10 years. If the bill passes, Virginia, Maryland and D.C. have agreed they will match the $1.5 billion. The funds would go a long way for Metro, which is the only major transportation system in the nation that lacks a dedicated source of funding.

But the Davis bill, as it is currently constructed, will likely never make its way past Coburn.

"I'm happy to be a roadblock to that bill," Coburn tells WTOP. "It's $1.5 billion they want, we (the government) don't have the money to pay for it, so where are we going to get the money?"

Coburn doesn't think one penny of funding for Metro should come from American taxpayers.

"How dare us say we are going to steal opportunity from our children so that we can have a ride on the Metro. I think the vast majority of Americans would disagree with that."

Coburn's major gripe doesn't necessarily have to do with the Davis bill at all, it has to do with over-spending in Congress.

"If they want this bill to go through, get rid of some wasteful spending somewhere else. I can show you how to pay for it, but nobody wants to pay for it. They want to not do the hard thing, charge it to our children and I'm going say 'No.' The point is, this sugar daddy is broken," says the Senator, talking about U.S. debt.

So who does Coburn think should bear the burden of Metro's fragile infrastructure? The riders who use the system.

"My position is, if you want to ride the Metro, pay what it costs to ride the Metro. Riders will pay for the upkeep and the capital improvements that are needed."

Coburn suggests higher fares for riders to fund the system, even though a fare hike went into effect just over three months ago.

Metro, however, is not using any of the revenue from its recent fare hike for capital improvements. The money will be used for the operation of the system.

But it is not just higher fares the Oklahoma senator is suggesting. Coburn thinks Metro needs to take a look in the mirror.

"The real question is, why aren't you a little more efficient with how you run Metro? Their ridership is up, their revenues are up. I think you need some management changes."

The Davis bill did win approval from the House during the previous Congressional session. However, if it is to move forward, it will take a radical change for Coburn to go along with it.

In the meantime, Metro continues to try and find ways to fix itself, so that it can meet the needs of its riders.

(Copyright 2008 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)