Metro seeks public input on FY2020 budget proposal to provide better service and value for riders

*This news release has been updated to reflect an extension of the public comment period and rescheduled public hearing date due to inclement weather

Metro is inviting the public to comment on its proposed Fiscal Year 2020 budget, which is committed to delivering better service and value to riders while controlling costs and identifying efficiencies.

The $3.4 billion capital and operating budget proposal is committed to moving Metro beyond "Back2Good" to make the system "better than good" by expanding rush hours, extending service on the Yellow and Red lines and enhancing the value of Metro's unlimited rail and bus passes.

Metro's proposed budget prioritizes safety and compliance, investing $1.4 billion through Metro's Capital Improvement Program for safety and reliability improvements, rebuilding the Metro system and improving the effectiveness of the current rail and bus network.

Metro encourages customers to comment and values their input. All comments will be provided to Metro's Board of Directors for consideration prior to adopting the budget.

Several key initiatives are being considered including:

Expand weekday rush hours to provide more frequent service later in the morning and evening from 5:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Extend service on the Yellow Line to Greenbelt instead of Fort Totten or Mt Vernon Sq.

Extend all Red Line trains to Glenmont during weekday rush hours and weekends instead of ending some trains at Silver Spring.

Run all eight-car trains.

Implement a $2 weekend flat fare on Metrorail, excluding special events.

Reduce the cost of the 7-day bus pass from $17.50 to $15.

Add unlimited local Metrobus trips to Metro's unlimited monthly rail pass, SelectPass, at no additional cost.

Customers may provide feedback online, in person or by mail through 9 a.m., Monday, February 11, 2019:

Take the online survey and provide comments

Attend an open house and public hearing at the one of the following three locations:



Wednesday, January 30, 2019

The Durant Arts Center

1605 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Open House at 6:00 p.m., Public Hearing at 6:30 p.m.



Thursday, January 31, 2019

Greenbelt Library

11 Crescent Road, Greenbelt, MD 20770

Open House at 6:00 p.m., Public Hearing at 6:30 p.m.



Tuesday, February 5, 2019 ( *new date )

Metro Headquarters Building

600 5th St NW, Washington DC 20001

Open House at 5:30 p.m., Public Hearing at 6:00 p.m.





*Speaker registration is on-site only.

Note that dates may change due to weather. Check wmata.com/budget for any schedule changes.

Submit written comments by mail to:

Office of the Board Secretary

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

600 Fifth Street, NW

Washington, DC 20001

Metro's proposed budget reflects the need to limit the amount paid by jurisdictions, as required by law, while also reflecting anticipated ridership and revenue losses.

To view the full dockets and for more information about the operating budget, visit wmata.com/budget.

Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, gender, religion, disability or family status. If you require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or translation services (free of charge), contact the project team at 202-962-2511 (TTY: 202-962- 2033) at least 48 hours prior to the public hearing date.

The survey results, along with written statements and public hearing comments will be part of the official public hearing record and submitted to the Board for consideration and approval.

Metro's Fiscal Year 2020 budget and any approved changes would take effect in July.



Additional Information

HOW TO REGISTER TO SPEAK

All organizations or individuals desiring to be heard with respect to this docket will be afforded the opportunity to present their views, make supporting statements and to offer alternative proposals. Public officials will be allowed five minutes each to make their presentations. All others will be allowed three minutes each. Relinquishing of time by one speaker to another will not be permitted.

There will be no advance registration to speak. Those wishing to provide oral testimony will sign up to speak at the hearing, will be called to testify in the order they sign up, and can sign up to speak at any time prior to the close of the hearing. Elected public officials will be allowed to provide their testimony as soon as feasible after their registration. If you will not be able to stay to provide your testimony orally when your name is called, staff will help you to submit your comments into the public record, including through the use of a digital recorder to record your oral comments.

HOW TO SUBMIT TESTIMONY NOT AT THE PUBLIC HEARING

Testimony about this proposal may be submitted online via a survey at wmata.com/budget. The survey will open by 9 a.m. on Saturday, January 12, 2019, and will close on Monday, February 11, 2019 at 9 a.m. The survey will also provide the opportunity to submit freeform comments. This is in addition to your ability to speak at a public hearing. For those without access to computers or internet, testimony may also be mailed to the Office of the Board Secretary, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 600 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001. All comments must be received by the Office of the Board Secretary by 9 a.m. on Monday, February 11, 2019, to be included in the public record.

The comments received by the Office of the Board Secretary, along with the survey results and public hearing comments, will be presented to the Board and will be part of the official public hearing record. Please note all statements are releasable to the public upon request, and may be posted on WMATA's website, without change, including any personal information provided.

For those who do not have access to computers or internet, note that copies of the docket in its entirety can be requested from Metro's Office of the Board Secretary by calling 202-962-2511, and are available for inspection during normal business hours at Metro's Headquarters at 600 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001. Please call 202-962-2511 in advance to schedule an appointment.

Please note that all comments received are releasable to the public upon request, and may be posted on WMATA's website, without change, including any personal information you provide.