Metro May Run a Surplus?

This is the kind of thing that drives us crazy about WMATA. First, the idea of major cuts is floated. The thinking there must have been to make these bus cuts go down a little easier. Oh, and we can't forget that WMATA contemplated using stimulus money to cover the budget gap.
Now, the DC Examiner is reporting that Metro might run a $9 million SURPLUS due to increased ridership.
WMATA, we realize your situation is not enviable as the ugly stepchild of MD, DC and VA who can’t seem to get their acts straight either and like to jerk your chain, but cutting service and reporting a budget surplus doesn't jive in riders' minds, and it makes you look bad.
Perhaps a little better estimating on potential revenues might be a step in the right direction. For “Metro TV” the potential ad revenue was projected at “between "$16 to $178 million.” For the high tech projecting ads at Farragut West, between “$84,000 to $168,000.”

Cool? New Ad in Farragut West

Trekkies rejoice! Not only are you getting a new movie, but if you use Farragut West station, you get to see a nifty preview.
According to Metro, a high tech form of advertising has debuted in the passageway of the station inside the 18th Street entrance.
Customers walking through the passageway will see a 15-second ad for the upcoming “Star Trek” movie projected on the wall (video available at link). To get a better idea of what the ad will look like check out the demos on www.monstermedia.net.
The ad for the movie will be displayed through the end of April, Metro said.
At this time, Farragut West is the only station with the equipment to display the digital projection advertisements. However, the projector is able to display multiple ads, according to Metro.
The new form of advertising at Farragut West is expected to generate revenue of $84,000 to $168,000 a year, Metro said.
Have you seen it? What do you think?