Sarah Krouse at the WaBizJo reports that Metro authorities will meet on Thursday to discuss a 4 to 6 percent fare hike and other uncomfortable features associated with balancing the budget for fiscal year 2011. That discussion comes after a holiday weekend over which WMATA didn't make any new friends. Metro authorities are defending their decision to close three critical Metro stations in Northern Virginia for the holiday weekend, saying that the decision was planned well in advance. Labor Day was slapped on the calendar in 1882, but never mind that. Premeditation only enhances the crime in the eyes of frustrated Metro users, would-be mall shoppers, and diverted travelers.
