Transportation panel advises WMATA to tighten 2023 budget

The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) is advising the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to find ways to reduce spending in the agency's proposed fiscal-year 2023 budget in order to close a projected budget gap in FY2024.

The NVTC, which represents local governments with financial obligations to WMATA operations, made its comments formally as part of the agency's budgeting process. NVTC outlined multiple priorities WMATA to consider before approving the FY2023 budget as well as the FY2023-2028 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Those priorities include:
• identify opportunities to adjust bus and rail service to match demand and seek opportunities to reduce the projected operating funding gap in FY2024;
• implement fare policy changes to balance ridership and revenue;
• encourage a swift but safe opening of the Silver Line Phase 2 and Potomac Yard Stations;
• urge the safe and timely return of the 7000-series rail cars to service and make changes in safety culture; and
• accelerate the CIP to advance goals of safety, reliability and state of good repair.

"After the [WMATA] Board of Directors approves the FY2023 budget, we look forward to working with [WMATA] on the critical path ahead as the transit agency recovers from the effects of the pandemic, rebuilds ridership and adapts to increased teleworking and new travel patterns while facing a future without federal aid," said Walter Alcorn, who chair's NVTC's WMATA committee.