Metro News Release: Metro Board Approves FY2012 Operating and Capital Budget

The Metro Board of Directors today approved a $2.5 billion operating and capital budget for FY2012 that maintains the current level of rail, bus and paratransit services without raising fares, and provides funding to advance critical safety and reliability projects.

The budget was balanced through a combination of higher contributions from the local jurisdictions that fund Metro, significant efficiencies by management, and a handful of minor service changes.

“After an extensive process of public outreach, we listened to our riders, who told us not to raise fares or cut services, and requested jurisdictional commitment through increases in contributions," said Metro Board Chair Catherine Hudgins. "In these difficult economic times, the increased support is an extraordinary statement of commitment to our customers, to public transportation, and to the criticality of Metro to the national capital region.”

The operating budget is $1.48 billion and funds daily transit service provided Metrorail, Metrobus and MetroAccess. Among the service changes to take effect as part of the operating budget on September 25 include:

• Increasing the bus to rail and rail to bus transfer by $0.50 on Metrobus routes 94, A2, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, M8, M9, W2, W3, W6 and W8 at the request of the District of Columbia Department of Transportation;
• Creating a new Metrobus route 7M to operate between the Pentagon and Mark Center;
• Discontinuing the "Anacostia special fare" for Metrobuses at the request of the District of Columbia;
• Discontinuing the N8 and K1 Metrobus routes.

In addition, effective August 8, a new Metrobus route 74 will operate between Buzzard Point and Gallery Place, and additional service will operate on the 22A between Ballston and Barcroft. 

"Providing this level of support for Metro is key to the financial stability that is necessary to rebuild the system for our customers," said General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Richard Sarles. "Full funding for Metro enables us to continue core service levels and continue the much needed program to rebuild the system without a fare increase."

Sarles also forecasted a favorable finish to this fiscal (FY2011) year, and said careful budget management will allow Metro to repay to its capital program all of the extra preventive maintenance money transferred in the previous year, something customers voiced support for in an online survey.

“This $30 million repayment allows us to increase funding for escalator reconstruction and accelerate by one year the purchase of 51 new 30-foot buses,” Sarles said.

The FY2012 capital budget is $1 billion and funds the second year of a $5 billion, six-year program of prioritized capital needs. The FY2012 capital program of work advances projects that address safety and state of good repair needs on the system – with respect to both infrastructure and rehabilitation of equipment – as well as planning for future expansion, including the new rail extension to Dulles. The projects include:

• Continuing work on the new 7000-series rail cars, 300 of which will be used to replace all 1000-series cars on the system.
• Replacing 60 miles of rail.
• Purchasing 100 new buses a year for the next six years.
• Overhauling 144 escalators and complete replacement of nine others, at 25 different stations.
• Upgrading rail stations to include better public address systems and enhanced security through cameras at station entrances.

The FY2012 budget will take effect on July 1.