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As Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) continues to face budget shortfalls, agency officials are requesting additional funding from federal, state and local partners.

During the next six years, WMATA needs $1.5 billion more than current commitments to address aging infrastructure and growing ridership. The agency’s current six-year plan includes $515 million annually for basic capital programs. Additional capital funding is needed to replace and rehabilitate trains, buses, elevators, escalators, power cables and tracks, increase capacity, and enhance security.

Funding also would help ensure the agency can maintain current performance levels.

If the funding issue isn’t addressed, WMATA would not be able to meet service-reliability and capacity expectations, according to a prepared statement.