Metro wants to make lots of upgrades, but needs the money to pay for them. Photograph by Flickr user Elvert Barnes.
Nobody knows when the Silver Line will start running, but even so, Metro still has many plans for the future, and today the governments of the District, Maryland, and Virginia plunked down some cash to pay for them.
One of the results from a meeting today between DC Mayor Vince Gray, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, and Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe is that each of the three jursidictions will be increasing their contributions to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to pay for a long-term strategic plan to improve rail and bus service.
The plans range from putting eight cars on every train to ease crowding to more routine things like station renovations and power upgrades. But the increased contributions from local governments are critical, Metro says, at a time when federal support is slimming down. Metro got about 65 percent of its capital budget from the federal government in fiscal 2012, down from a high of 80 percent a decade ago.
Metro will likely continue to increase its dependence on local governments as it executes its $6.5 billion strategic plan designed to carry it through 2025.
“Today’s commitment of $75 million is a critical installment that bridges Metro to the next phase of our capital program,” Metro general manager Richard Sarles said in a press release.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
Metro Gets More Money From DC, Maryland, and Virginia
Each jurisdiction will give Metro an additional $25 million to pay for the transit agency’s future plans.
Nobody knows when the Silver Line will start running, but even so, Metro still has many plans for the future, and today the governments of the District, Maryland, and Virginia plunked down some cash to pay for them.
One of the results from a meeting today between DC Mayor Vince Gray, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, and Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe is that each of the three jursidictions will be increasing their contributions to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to pay for a long-term strategic plan to improve rail and bus service.
The plans range from putting eight cars on every train to ease crowding to more routine things like station renovations and power upgrades. But the increased contributions from local governments are critical, Metro says, at a time when federal support is slimming down. Metro got about 65 percent of its capital budget from the federal government in fiscal 2012, down from a high of 80 percent a decade ago.
Metro will likely continue to increase its dependence on local governments as it executes its $6.5 billion strategic plan designed to carry it through 2025.
“Today’s commitment of $75 million is a critical installment that bridges Metro to the next phase of our capital program,” Metro general manager Richard Sarles said in a press release.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
Most Popular in News & Politics
See a Spotted Lanternfly? Here’s What to Do.
Meet DC’s 2025 Tech Titans
Patel Dined at Rao’s After Kirk Shooting, Nonviolent Offenses Led to Most Arrests During Trump’s DC Crackdown, and You Should Try These Gougères
The “MAGA Former Dancer” Named to a Top Job at the Kennedy Center Inherits a Troubled Program
Trump Travels One Block From White House, Declares DC Crime-Free; Barron Trump Moves to Town; and GOP Begins Siege of Home Rule
Washingtonian Magazine
September Issue: Style Setters
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
These Confusing Bands Aren’t Actually From DC
Fiona Apple Wrote a Song About This Maryland Court-Watching Effort
The Confusing Dispute Over the Future of the Anacostia Playhouse
Protecting Our Drinking Water Keeps Him Up at Night
More from News & Politics
Bondi Irks Conservatives With Plan to Limit “Hate Speech,” DC Council Returns to Office, and Chipotle Wants Some Money Back
GOP Candidate Quits Virginia Race After Losing Federal Contracting Job, Trump Plans Crackdown on Left Following Kirk’s Death, and Theatre Week Starts Thursday
5 Things to Know About “Severance” Star Tramell Tillman
See a Spotted Lanternfly? Here’s What to Do.
Patel Dined at Rao’s After Kirk Shooting, Nonviolent Offenses Led to Most Arrests During Trump’s DC Crackdown, and You Should Try These Gougères
How a DC Area Wetlands Restoration Project Could Help Clean Up the Anacostia River
Pressure Grows on FBI Leadership as Search for Kirk’s Killer Continues, Kennedy Center Fires More Staffers, and Spotted Lanternflies Are Everywhere
What Is Free DC?