This week, General Manager Randy Clarke will be releasing a doomsday budget for Metro that would mean dramatic service cuts. It is what it is because our elected officials haven’t yet come to a funding agreement to help close the gap.
Metro has been on roll under Randy Clarke, with higher frequencies and improved safety and reliability, and new initiatives like DC late night service. But inflation has increased costs, ridership and fare revenues are down (but coming back!), and the system has never had the dedicated funding it needs. Although Metro has found $100 million in cost cuts and proposes to move capital funding to operations to fill part of the gap, we will still need funding for FY25 & FY26, and a long-term solution.
Maryland Governor Moore recently committed an additional $150 million. Now, DC and Virginia must make a commitment as well. And we need even higher contributions from all three jurisdictions so Metro can avoid shifting capital repair funds towards operating costs.
Email the two Governors and Mayor today!
Failure to fund Metro cannot be an option! It would mean massive cuts to rail and bus service, traffic gridlock, people losing jobs because they’ve lost their transportation, economic decline, and more air pollution and climate emissions.
Metro funding should be a top regional priority, and the region has just a short time to identify the funding. Take action today!
Thanks for all you do!