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4/17/2023
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's board late last week approved a $4.8 billion combined capital and operating budget for fiscal-year 2024.
The overall budget — which allocates $2.4 billion each to the capital and operating budgets — supports increased rail and bus services and simplified fares, introduces a new low-income fare program and enhances safety measures, WMATA officials said in a press release.
The capital budget allocates funds to infrastructure projects and sustainability initiatives, including an advancement of the transit agency's new 8000-series rail cars, technology upgrades to support next-generation train systems, and development of Blue, Orange and Silver Line corridor improvements.
The budget delivers the highest amount of trains on the southern portion of the Green Line in WMATA's history, authority officials said. The Yellow Line, which has been under major construction for eight months, will reopen May 7.
WMATA also will cap rail fares at $6 on weekdays and $2 on late nights and weekends, eliminating weekday peak and off-peak fares. The transit agency plans to launch its first region-wide low-fare program that offers 50% fare discounts to riders enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Additionally, the board proposed a budget amendment that would waive the $2 fee for Senior SmarTrip cards after WMATA staff conducts a Title VI equity analysis. The card offers reduced fare to people over the age of 65.
The budget also provides funds to create the Metro Integrated Communications Center, a "one-stop shop" to improve operations communication and coordination, WMATA officials said. The center will consolidate rail, bus, police, video, maintenance, power and elevator and escalator operations.
Simplified fares and new reduced fare programs will take effect July 1, when the fiscal year begins. Remaining changes to rail service will be implemented during summer and fall as more rail cars and operators become available.