WMATA seeks public input on proposed 2022 budget

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is soliciting public comment on its proposed fiscal-year 2022 budget until March 16.

WMATA is facing a significant budget shortfall due to a decrease in ridership caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, with ridership down about 90% on Metrorail, agency officials said in a press release.

Federal relief funding has allowed WMATA to avoid layoffs, continue providing essential travel service and prepare for transit ridership to return. However, there is not enough money to fill the entire budget gap for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2021, agency officials said.

The following Metrorail proposals would take effect in January 2022 in the absence of additional federal relief funding:

• close up to 22 Metrorail stations with low ridership that are near other stations;
• operate Metrorail every 30 minutes on all lines; Red Line trains would operate every 15 minutes between Grosvenor-Strathmore and Silver Spring; and
• institute turnbacks on the Red and Yellow lines.