WMATA unveils $3.2 billion budget for FY2019

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) late last week proposed a $3.2 billion budget for fiscal-year 2019, which starts July 1.

Although the proposal doesn't include fare hikes or service cuts, WMATA is seeking additional funding from Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., to balance the budget, agency officials said in a press release.

The budget includes $1.9 billion for operations, which would be funded through $1 billion in jurisdictional contributions and $828 million from passenger fares, parking fees, advertising revenues and other projected revenue.

"[WMATA] faces structural challenges associated with past underinvestment in the maintenance, rehabilitation and replacement of the system's infrastructure and an unsustainable operating model," agency officials wrote in the budget document.

The budget proposes $1.3 billion in capital investments, including continued delivery of 7000-series rail cars and additional maintenance of tracks, stations and rail power systems.

WMATA will accept public opinion on the budget through Feb. 5.