WMATA schedules hearings on proposed FY2015 budget

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will host public meetings later this month and in February to solicit comments on a proposed fiscal-year 2015 budget, fare changes and the agency's capital improvement plan.

The proposed $3 billion capital plan would provide "safer, better and more service," as well as provide funding for the 2025 strategic plan called "Momentum," according to a WMATA press release.

The proposed FY2015 operating budget, which would take effect on July 1, includes $1.76 billion in operating expenses to provide rail and bus service across the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

The budget will cover the first full fiscal year of operations for the new Silver Line, which extends the Metrorail system in Virginia for 11.4 miles and includes five new stations.

Also starting in FY2015, the agency will inaugurate the first of the 7000-series rail cars into service, replacing its oldest cars in the system and fulfilling a key National Transportation Safety Board recommendation.

In addition, the budget calls for the creation of a Customer Care Program, which would define standards and policies for rider experiences on rail, bus and MetroAccess services.

The agency will hold six public hearings between Jan. 28 and Feb. 6. Each hearing will be preceded by an informal information session. The agency also is accepting comments online through Feb. 11.