Metro could enforce drastic changes if funding doesn’t increase

Julia Eisen – WMAL News | October 24, 2023

Washington metro area commuters and residents might see drastic changes to the metrorail system if funding for next fiscal year doesn’t increase.

Right now, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) faces a $292 million deficit. Although that number doesn’t look as striking compared to the projected $750 million, many changes must be made to make up the lost cash.

On Tuesday, WMATA laid out different scenarios Metro might use moving forward if the deficit doesn’t improve by next fiscal year.

Under the worst-case scenario, Metro would consider drastic cuts to the overall system. Some of these cuts include thousands of employee lay-offs, increased wait times up to 20-30 minutes and slashed bus services.

If Metro is able to recuperate the hundreds of millions of dollars of debt from federal and state funding, the cuts would be less severe but would still affect commuters and residents.

The other scenarios include reducing the length of peak periods, limiting Blue, Silver and Red Line station services and closing stations earlier on the weekends.

WMATA will meet on Thursday to further discuss future financial planning for FY2025.

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