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After a year of smashing ridership records, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) expects ridership to double over the next 25 years. But Washington-area transportation — including public transit and highways — is expected to see a $1.74 billion funding shortfall possibly as soon as 2015.

"When [National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB)] put together this year’s update to our 25-year transportation plan, there were zero dollars to purchase rolling stock and make other improvements needed to fully accommodate ridership growth," said District of Columbia Councilmember Phil Mendelson, TPB second vice chairman, in a prepared statement.

So, on Nov. 30, TPB hosted a meeting with members of Congress, state legislators and key local officials, as well as transportation officials from Maryland, District of Columbia, and Virginia to try to find additional funding streams.

"We don’t want to wait until 2009 to say that between 2010 and 2025 we’re going to need to make these investments," says Ray Feldman, WMATA director of media relations.

Possible solutions discussed include raising the local gas tax five cents or increasing the local sales tax by a penny or half cent. Another possibility would be to create a regional authority, which would prioritize and fund the region’s needs. Ultimately, the legislators and D.C. council would need to agree upon a solution.

In the short term, WMATA plans to continue working with TPB and new administrations — including new congressional representatives in Maryland and Virginia.

"We have to keep sounding the drumbeat and making the case that we’ll need this additional funding," says Feldman.

— Kathi Kube

To discuss transportation funding, follow this link to Management Discussion Forum