By Maria Hickey, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – Metro plans to ask state legislators for $20 million to help balance the books.
The St. Louis-area mass transit agency is projecting a $28 million deficit in fiscal 2008, which begins this summer.
Metro spokeswoman Diane Williams says the agency is required by law to balance its budget, and she says it's already cut all the fat.
"Metro has cut 15 million dollars from its operating costs," Williams said. "We've had three fare increases. At this point we've cut everything we can cut without looking for additional revenue sources."
The agency has asked St. Louis County to place a referendum to voters asking for at least a quarter cent sale tax increase. The city of St. Louis already passed such a measure.
In the meantime Metro estimates it will cost up to $9 million more to offer the current level of bus service during the Highway 40 project that begins this spring.