Your Chance to Comment on Metro’s FY2018 Operating Budget – Get Yours In By Feb. 6th

Photo by PoPville flickr user Erinn Shirley

From WMATA:

“Metro is inviting the public to provide feedback on its proposed FY2018 Operating Budget, a proposal aimed at rightsizing rail and bus services to support current ridership, as well as the Capital Improvement Plan and Federal Grant Applications.

The proposed $3.1 billion budget funds key safety, service and customer initiatives critical to reversing declining ridership and building a financially sustainable future for Metro. Following the year-long accelerated track maintenance program, SafeTrack, Metro will institute a new preventive track maintenance program in Fiscal Year 2018. In addition, a new railcar “Get Well” plan will address persistent railcar problems to help further reduce delays.

Metro values the input of its customers and the Metro Board will take all comments into consideration prior to adopting the budget.

The public is encouraged to comment by 9:00 a.m. on Monday February 6, 2017:

• Take a survey or provide written comment. The survey may also be downloaded, filled out and dropped in a survey collection bin near the faregates at any Metrorail station.
• Provide feedback to staff at Metrorail Stations Monday January 23 – January 30. * View here for a full list of locations and times.
• Attend an open house from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and public hearing starting at 5:00 p.m. Speaker registration is onsite only and will close at 9:00 p.m.

  Metro Headquarters Building
  600 Fifth St. NW
  Washington, DC 20001
  (via Metrorail: Gallery Place or Judiciary Square)

*Note that dates may change due to weather and check wmata.com/budget for any schedule changes.

Several key initiatives are being considered including:

• Increase in Metrorail rush hour and non-rush hour fares
• Increase in regular and express Metrobus fares
• Replace 1-day rail pass with new 1-day unlimited rail/bus pass
• Adjust train service during weekday rush hour
• Reduce train service during non-rush hour and weekends
• Eliminate or modify bus routes in the District, Maryland and Virginia

The proposed budget seeks to close a $290 million budget gap with shared sacrifice between state and local governments, Metro personnel and customers. The proposal calls for the District, Maryland and Virginia to contribute a total of $130 million more than they did last year. Metro is also proposing $50 million in cost savings by eliminating positions and taking other cost cutting actions. Fares for riders would go up between $0.10 and $0.25 for rail and bus trips, while service is rightsized to fit current ridership levels.

To view the full dockets and for more information about the operating budget, visit wmata.com/budget.

The survey results, along with written statements and public hearing comments will be part of the official public hearing record and submitted to the Board for consideration and approval.

Metro’s fiscal year 2018 budget and any approved changes would take effect in July.

Additional Information

The location for public hearing and outreach locations are wheelchair accessible. Any individual who requires special assistance such as a sign language interpreter or additional accommodation to participate in the public hearing, or who requires these materials in an alternate format, should call 202-962-2511 or TTY: 202-962-2033 as soon as possible in order for Metro to make necessary arrangements. For language assistance, such as an interpreter or information in another language, please call 202-962-2582 at least 48 hours prior to the public hearing date.

How to register to speak

Speaker registration is onsite only and will close at 9:00 p.m. All organizations or individuals desiring to be heard with respect to these dockets will be afforded the opportunity to present their views and make supporting statements and to offer alternative proposals.

Public officials will be heard first and will be allowed five minutes each to make their presentations. All others will be allowed three minutes each. These limits apply regardless of whether the speaker is addressing one or more dockets. Relinquishing of time by one speaker to another will not be permitted.

Please note that all comments received are releasable to the public upon request, and may be posted on WMATA’s website, without change, including any personal information you provide.”