Millions of Metro riders will face fewer Metro stations, fewer bus routes, longer wait times, significantly higher fares and significantly reduced service under Metro General Manager Randy Clark’s proposed budget for next year. There is a possibility that the system will be reduced.
Millions of Metro riders will see significant service cuts and fewer Metro stations and bus routes in Metro General Manager and CEO Randy Clark’s proposed budget for next year. We could see a system with longer waiting times and significantly higher fares.
Mr Clark said the budget included “a level of cuts that is hard to imagine”.
Mr Clark said the credits were reduced due to lower usage following the pandemic, COVID-19 credits to jurisdictions that use and fund the system, and higher inflation., The agency has a $750 million deficit. This represents a gap that cannot be filled with just mild tightening, Clark said, so drastic measures, including layoffs, will have to be taken.
He said this is all happening despite an increase in ridership on the subway system and a decrease in crime.
Clark said it’s possible to avoid cuts, but it would require Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., to raise a combined $663 million in additional funding.
Fair fare hike?
Clark’s budget would increase train and bus fares by 20%, meaning regular Metrorail fares could rise to $7.20 per trip.
He said the changes “will result in customers paying more for far less service.”
Train and bus changes
The dramatic cuts, which will take place on July 1, 2024, include the closure of the 10 subway stations with the lowest ridership. However, the department said it would not close two stations in a row.
The reduction means Metrorail service will end at 10 p.m. daily. The number of trains running will be reduced, and waiting times for most trains will increase to 15 minutes on weekdays and 20 minutes on weekends.
The Silver Line and Red Line will have more trains turning around before completing a full trip, and the Silver Line will only run six-car trains.
Mr Clark said the measures would leave customers inaccessible and create new challenges for people trying to work or go to events such as concerts. It can also impact businesses and developments that rely on the system.
As for buses, Clark proposes eliminating 67 of the 135 bus routes. The remaining 41 of his routes will see service cuts. Many passengers will be forced to make what Mr Clark called “difficult transfers” to rail to get around.
Access to subway
Van services that support the transportation of people with disabilities are limited to areas where coverage is required by law.
Significant reduction in workforce
The layoffs will have a significant impact on Metro’s workforce and will require the layoffs of approximately 2,300 full-time Metro employees. Clark said the downsizing would not only reduce Metro Transit Police presence at stations, but would also lengthen response times, make stations dirtier and reduce their ability to provide real-time information about the system.
And with fewer people maintaining escalators, trains and buses, passengers will encounter more problems. This would involve the agency transferring as much funding from the maintenance budget to the operating budget as allowed.
The agency is also obligated to honor its existing contract with the union, but there are no plans to offer raises in future negotiations. Non-union employees and managers are also not expected to receive raises.
“Everyone has to contribute to the solution,” Clark said.
Mr Clark said layoff notices would begin to be issued in January and a hiring freeze would be implemented during the same month.
How to avoid cuts
Mr Clarke said it was difficult to propose such cuts knowing they would bring about “devastating” changes to the region.
Clark said Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., all need to take action to avoid this because federal money is not available to help.
Currently, D.C. is scheduled to pay $448 million in funding for the system, followed closely by Maryland with $474 million and Virginia with $330 million. To avoid cuts, D.C. would need to commit an additional $275 million, Maryland $209 million and Virginia $180 million.
While Washington, D.C., was able to make that promise without changing its laws, the same is not true for Maryland and Virginia. Due to the existing 3% cap on increases in annual operating budget grants, both states would require state legislatures to amend existing laws.
Some jurisdictions have already announced plans to continue funding WMATA. Paul Wiedefeld, Maryland’s transportation secretary and former subway general manager, told The Associated Press about the state: We are not going to back away from the investments needed to support transit.
Clark said Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., “need a sense of urgency” to decide on funding plans.
Mr Clarke added that commitments must be made before April and discussions have already begun with local authorities. The general manager expressed optimism that the need for commitments will come, but that plans need to be made.
“Failure is not an option,” Clark said. “We need a healthy subway.”
