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Metro votes to increase fares about 5 percent

Metro votes to increase fares about 5 percent

WASHINGTON — are going up for riders of Washington’s Metro transit system.

Metro’s voted Thursday for the first increase in and fares in the system in two years. The hike raises the average rail fare by about 5 percent. Bus fares are increasing by a dime, rising to $1.60 for those who use SmarTrip cards. The rates take effect July 1.

Two weeks ago, a board committee approved the fare increases. Metro officials hope to use revenue from the fee increases to help close a gap of about $100 million for the next fiscal year.