Activist groups have a US$1b plan to save DC's subway

Washington

SEVERAL faith- and community-based organisations say the DC subway, also known as Metro, needs US$1 billion a year in dedicated funding, and they've come up with a proposal that includes a mix of sales, gas and property taxes that leaders say will beef up service levels and preserve jobs while addressing the system's long-term needs.

Scores of grass-roots activists with the Metro Industrial Areas Foundation packed a downtown church on Sunday to rally support and present the plan - a medley of investment and savings proposals without the labour concessions sought by Metro general manager Paul Wiedefeld and politicians.