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Yesterday, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) board’s budget committee approved the $3.3 billion Metro Matters funding agreement, a six-year commitment from state and local governments in the Washington, D.C., area to help pay for the authority’s short-term capital needs.

The agreement includes $1.8 billion in previously pledged funding and $1.5 billion in new commitments. WMATA plans to use $524.9 million for its infrastructure renewal program; $600.6 million to purchase new rail cars and expand three shops, and complete system improvements to operate eight-car trains; $171.5 million to purchase new buses and build a new maintenance facility; and $143.5 million to continue its security program.

The agreement also depends on significant assistance from the federal government. WMATA is seeking $260 million in federal funds to purchase rail cars and $143 million in security funding.

The board is expected to approve the agreement at its Oct. 21 meeting.

Meanwhile, the budget committee agreed to exercise an option to purchase 120 series 6000 rail cars for $187 million from ALSTOM Transportation — an add-on to a 62-car order for cars scheduled to be delivered beginning next August. Final delivery of the base order and 120-car option will be complete by October 2007.