US Metro to draw on capital funds to offset operating expenses

New York

AS Metro stares down a US$290 million budget shortfall for the coming fiscal year, it is all but certain the agency will dip into a pool of federal grant money to offset some of the costs.

The question is how much of the annual formula-based allotment, intended for long-term maintenance and planning needs, the agency will instead use to cover day-to-day expenses.

Metro general manager Paul Wiedefeld has proposed using US$60 million of the US$300 million pot to support short-t…