Metro Overtime Budget Overspent By 62 Percent

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Washington's Metro transit agency has exceeded its overtime budget by 62 percent so far this year as it tries to tackle a repair backlog.

Metro has spent $9.2 million more than budgeted on overtime in the first quarter of the fiscal year that began in July. That's according to a report to be presented to board members on Thursday.

The Washington Examiner reported Tuesday that Metro officials have put in controls to reduce the extra hours. And by September, the transit agency was exceeding its overtime budget by 28 percent, down from 87 percent in July.

Metro has been dealing with repairs including air-conditioning, door problems and brake discs that have been falling off cars.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)