“Metro seeks community input on FY24 budget proposal to improve service and simplify fares”

photo by Miki Jourdan

From WMATA:

“Metro has opened the public comment period for the proposed Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) budget that seeks to expand service on Metrorail and Metrobus, provide more equitable fares, implement a low-income fare program, enhance public safety, and maintain a safe and reliable system through capital investments.

The community is encouraged to provide feedback on the $4.8 billion capital and operating budget proposal that focuses on creating the best service and customer experience on #YourMetro throughout the region. The funding will modernize our transportation and infrastructure for the future and deliver services that support and grow ridership, which are among the key initiatives.

Additional proposals include:

Increased service on Metrorail and Metrobus
Launch of Better Bus Network Redesign
Opening of new Potomac Yard station
Simplified Metrorail pricing to provide a smoother experience
Increased law enforcement support throughout the transit system
Sustainability-focused investments in our zero-emission bus program and electrification of new bus garages
Continued major construction and maintenance projects that are foundational for safe and reliable transportation

Metro is encouraging the community to participate in the public process by providing input online or attending one of the four public hearings – in person, via video or via telephone before the comment period ends on Wednesday, March 15, at 5 p.m.

Below is a summary of several key initiatives or go to wmata.com/budget for detailed information about the budget proposals.

Metrorail Service Proposals

Introduce more frequent service with trains arriving every 3 to 6 minutes in Metro’s central service area, and every 8 to 12 minutes or better in the rest of the system seven days a week and 10 to 15 minutes late night after 9:30 p.m.

Green Line

Increase service from every 10 to 12 minutes to every 6 minutes from opening to 9:30 p.m., seven days a week
Increase service from every 15 minutes to every 10 minutes after 9:30 p.m. until closing, seven days a week

Orange Line

Increase service from every 12 min to every 10 minutes from opening until 9:30 p.m., seven days a week
Increase service from every 10 minutes to every 7 ½ minutes during the weekday rush hour only (6:30-9:30 a.m., 3-7 p.m.), seven days a week

Yellow Line (Huntington to Mt. Vernon Sq ONLY)

Increase service from every 10 to 12 minutes to every 6 minutes from opening 9:30 p.m., seven days a week
Increase service from every 15 minutes to every 10 minutes after 9:30 p.m. until closing, seven days a week

Metrobus Service Proposals

Metro plans to expand access, advance equity, and optimize bus routes for Metrobus customers across the region:

District of Columbia

B2 Bladensburg Road-Anacostia
Increase service for the B2 with buses every 12 minutes between 7 a.m. – 9 p.m., seven days a week, and add to Metro’s Frequent Service Network.
Metro for D.C. Amendment Act of 2022
The Council of the District of Columbia passed the Metro for DC Amendment Act of 2021, which includes:
Free Metrobus trips for customers who take a bus within the District of Columbia
All-night Metrobus service every 20 minutes on routes 32, 33, 52, 70, 90, A6, A8, B2, H4, S2, V2, W4, and X2.

Maryland

A12 Martin Luther King Jr. Highway
Add more service by splitting the A12 route into two routes, expanding new connections to Downtown Largo and New Carrollton stations. Both routes would operate every 20 minutes from 7 a.m. – 9 p.m., seven days a week, and every 30 minutes at other times.

Virginia

16G & 16H Columbia Pike
The proposed new 16M would combine the current routes 16G and 16H with a new connection to Crystal City station and would operate every 12 minutes from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week, and every 15 to 30 minutes at other times.
The western loop at Arlington Mill will be covered by Arlington Transit (ART)
11Y Mt Vernon Express
Reinstate the 11Y express route from Mt. Vernon and Potomac Park, replacing the 11C and DC3 shuttle. The bus would operate every 24 to 30 minutes, northbound in the a.m. peak and southbound in the p.m. peak. Express fare would be charged.

Fare Proposals

Simplify Metrorail fares
Our simplified fare proposal is designed to make traveling easier and encourage customers to ride more. Determine how much you would pay under the proposal with the fare calculator.
Eliminate peak and off-peak pricing.
On weekdays, from opening until 9:30 p.m., Metrorail fares would range from $2 base fare to a max of $6.50 per trip.
Late-night (after 9:30 p.m.) and all weekend rail trips remain $2.
Monthly pass products would reflect these adjustments to weekday fares.
Keep Metrobus affordable
Metrobus trips remain $2.
Maintain free Metrobus fare when transferring to/from Metrorail.
Launch Low-Income Fare Program
Our new Low-Income Fare Program would offer a 50 percent discount on Metrorail and Metrobus trips to eligible customers. This program would be accessible to customers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 

How to provide feedback

Take a survey, provide written comments, and upload documents at wmata.com/budget by 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, 2023.

Participate in one of four public hearings either in person, online, or by phone:

Monday, March 6, 2023, 6 p.m.
Metro Headquarters, 300 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
Nearest Metro station: L’Enfant (Green, Blue, Orange and Silver lines).
Metro staff will be available at 5 p.m. for an open house.

Tuesday, March 7, 2023, 6 p.m.
Meridian High School, 121 Mustang Alley, Falls Church, VA 22043
Nearest Metro station: West Falls Church (Orange)
Metro staff will be available at 5 p.m. for an open house.

Wednesday, March 8, 2023, 6 p.m.
New Carrollton Metro Offices, 4100 Garden City Dr., Hyattsville, MD 20785
Nearest Metro station: New Carrollton (Blue+, Orange)
Metro staff will be available at 5 p.m. for an open house.

Friday, March 10, 2023, Noon
Virtual only (via telephone or video); no open house

How to Participate:

In-Person: Advance registration is encouraged, though not required. To register in advance, email [email protected] or call (202) 962-2511 by 5 p.m. the day before the hearing. You can also register on-site.

By video: To participate via video, advance registration is required. Register by emailing [email protected] by 5 p.m. the day before the hearing at which you want to speak – we’ll send a link you can use to participate.

By phone: To participate by phone: call 855-925-2801 during the public hearing, enter meeting code 7756, and press *3 to be placed into the speaker queue. No advance registration is available for those participating by phone.”