Metro FY2018 Budget Faces Big Challenges, Board Members Say

Metro board members continue to probe the public for feedback as they address how to close their budget gap.

In a public forum Wednesday night in Reston, the Virginia members of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority board discussed their $3.1 billion proposed FY2018 budget.

Board members estimate $17 billion will be needed over next decade “just to maintain a state of good repair,” but also acknowledge that the impact of delays associated with the SafeTrack program are significant.

DC CFO estimates Metro delays led to:

— lost productivity between $153 million and $235 million annually in the region

— ridership declines that reduce Metrorail’s fare box recovery

Like a 40 year old house, Metro maintenance cannot be deferred, notes WMATA board member Cathy Hudgins. Join us @RestonChamber now. pic.twitter.com/bmQuOffaad

— NVTC (@NoVaTransit) January 26, 2017

Proposed investments, totaling $1.25 billion, outlined by board members to help make Metro more safe and reliable include new 7000 Series railcars; replacement buses and paratransit vehicles; rehabilitation and maintenance of existing railcar and bus fleets; rehabilitation and replacement of track and structures, rail power, radio/wireless and bus garages; and reinvestment in station escalators, elevators, lighting and platforms.

How do we make Metro safe & reliable? WMATA board member @Paul_Smedberg shares ideas. Learn more now @RestonChamber. Meeting open to public pic.twitter.com/dWF4iWpCKL

— NVTC (@NoVaTransit) January 26, 2017

Proposed capital funding from Fairfax County for the FY2018 Metro budget is $101 million, up $66 million from FY2017. Increased contributions in FY2018 include funds to repay short-term debt projected to be used in FY2017.

Proposed operational funding from Fairfax County in FY2018 is $138.6 million, a 17 percent increase from the current fiscal year.

The proposed budget also features fare hikes including:

• 10 cents on rush-hour rail fares, 25 cents on non-rush-hour fares
• 25 cents on regular and express Metrobus fares
• $2.75 on Dulles Airport Metrobus fares

Service frequency would also be adjusted in the following ways:

• 8-minute frequency on Silver Line during weekday rush hour (up from 6)
• 15-minute frequency on all lines all other times (up from 12)

Metro has planned an open house Monday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. to receive feedback on the budget. In addition, feedback can be provided via an online survey.

Photo via Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, charts via Metro FY2018 budget proposal