Metro cuts 2011 budget, plans HOT lanes

Senior execs must ride transit

Jon Boyd, Oct 01, 10.

New operating budget
Last Tuesday, the Metro Board approved a budget for FY 2011 reducing expenditures by $430 million from FY 2010, or 31%. This budget includes spending to convert High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes to High-Occupancy Toll lanes, which could generate revenue for the agency as early as 2012.

The Metro Board voted on Tuesday to reduce the budget for the next fiscal year by almost a third, according to Wendy Siegel of KUHF News (via Transportation Nation).

The delay of an expected $900 million grant prompted Metro to defer most of the capital spending on light rail, while agreeing this spending would ramp up again once Metro receives the grant money, according to the KUHF report:

The drop in the budget mostly stems from the results of federal inquiry into Metro’s purchasing practices, and the consequent delay in a 900-million federal light rail grant. Due to the budget restraints, work on Metro’s light rail program will be scaled back. Metro CEO George Greanias says he’s confident Metro will eventually get the funding for the project, but says it’s prudent not to count on it coming in the next fiscal year.

High-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes
The Metro budget contained a proposal to spend $20 million to convert High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes to High-Occupancy Toll (lanes), Mike Snyder of the Houston Chronicle reported prior to the Metro budget meeting. Buses, van pools, and car pools would still use Metro’s dedicated lanes, but single occupancy drivers would be allowed to opt to pay a toll to use the same lane. Metro is currently considering a dynamic pricing system, which would measure usage of the HOT lane, price usage of the lane, and post pricing information to drivers - all in real-time, says the Chronicle article. Such a system would still give priority to HOVs, according to the article:

Metro has hired two contractors for the project: one to install equipment that permits remote opening and closing of gates to the restricted lanes, and another to install an electronic toll collection and enforcement system, spokesman George Smalley said.

Metro expects to inaugurate the service in early 2012, he said.

Metro’s HOT lanes will be similar to the managed lanes operated by the Harris County Toll Road Authority on the Katy Freeway. Metro, however, intends to use a different pricing system.

Metro will monitor traffic levels throughout the day and adjust the tolls accordingly in real time, Smalley said.

This approach will prevent single motorists from using so much capacity that cars with multiple passengers or Metro park-and-ride buses get stuck in traffic, he said.

During times when traffic volumes become too high, he said, the lanes may be closed to single motorists.

Metro board member Christof Spieler said it’s vital that the agency preserve capacity in the HOV lanes for its commuter buses, which carry 30,000 passengers a day.

Mass transit for Metro Executives
Metro President and CEO George Greanias is now requiring senior managers to make at least forty transit trips per month, according to the Houston Chronicle:

Riding mass transit frequently will give Metro’s leaders a better understanding of what their customers experience, Greanias said.

“It’s the best way to get a sense of how the system is working,” he said, adding that he rides light rail to work most days.

Greanias said 12 to 14 employees would be affected. Metro’s website lists 15 people on the agency’s senior management team.

Metro Budget report
Video of Metro Budget Meeting, September 28, 10
Metro plans ‘HOT’ offer for drivers who go solo
Metro To Make Cutbacks In Light Of Reduced Budget
Metro car-key turn-in to save $92,000 per year
Houstonians still driving. Alone.