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WMATA FY2019 budget and capital investment (begins 7/1/18)


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#1 CNJRoss

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Posted 31 October 2017 - 07:18 AM

WMATA news release 10/26/17:

 

Note:  Although dated 10/26 I believe this was actually released on 10/30/17 as indicated in The Washington Post article below.  -Ross

 

Metro GM proposes no fare increases or service cuts for riders

Continued capital investment in safety and service reliability projects also proposed

 

 

Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld today proposed a combined operating and capital budget of just over $3.1 billion for FY2019 (begins July 1, 2018) that requires an increase of $165 million over last year's level of jurisdictional funding support. While protecting customers from fare hikes and service cuts, the plan calls for continued strict management cost controls and increased funding for safety and reliability capital improvements.

"This proposal builds on our success in investing capital to deliver projects that improve safety and reliability, which is critical to winning back riders," said Wiedefeld. "This budget also doubles down on management cost controls to ensure we have squeezed the value out of every dollar that we spend delivering service to the region."

The General Manager's proposed capital budget for FY19 is $1.279 billion, which funds the delivery of the remaining 7000-series cars to replace older, less reliable trains; new buses and paratransit vehicles; and address the backlog of track and structure, rail power, and radio and wireless systems, as well as fund the new preventive maintenance program that supports improved safety and rail service for customers. This proposed budget assumes federal formula and PRIIA dollars continue at historic levels and requires a jurisdictional capital contribution of $787 million, which is $136 million higher than last year's required contribution.

Funding Current Levels of Bus & Rail Service

The proposed FY19 operating budget of $1.837 billion is less than 1 percent ($12 million) higher than the current budget of $1.825 billion. However, offsetting projected fare revenue losses and expense drivers that are beyond management's control - including legacy pension and health care costs, mandated paratransit services, and inflation - requires additional management cuts, further reductions in overtime, outsourcing, and increases in parking and advertising revenue.

In keeping with the General Manager's efforts to limit jurisdictional operating subsidy growth to 3 percent called for in the Keeping Metro Safe, Reliable and Affordable (KMSRA) funding plan released last spring, the net result for the FY19 budget is a requested $29 million increase in local operating subsidy -- significantly lower than the $134 million (16 percent) required last year to support the current operating budget.

"There is virtually nothing more we can do of significance to further trim costs without impacting service, which we don't want to do," said Wiedefeld. "So as a region we must act now on initiatives like those outlined in our funding plan, to control future operating cost growth. To that end, the Authority will initiate a study to overhaul its bus network, which consists of service routes that have remained virtually unchanged for decades, similar to efforts underway in Houston, Seattle, and Philadelphia. Beginning later this year, the study will examine travel patterns, customer demand, technology opportunities, first/last mile private carriers, and how to more cost effectively deliver regional versus local bus service to riders.

Additional Expenses Not Funded

Not funded in the operating budget, however, are service increases such as a proposed extension of all Red Line trains to Shady Grove (eliminating the Grosvenor turn back), additional staffing for Silver Line phase 2 service, and new bus service. The proposal also includes no wage increases for the workforce, which may later be imposed by an Arbitration panel reviewing the collective bargaining agreement for Metro's largest union.

Capital Funding and Federal Grants Expiring

While there has been much positive discussion among Metro's funders, no action has been taken to implement the capital funding recommendations in the KMSRA plan. Therefore, the six-year capital program from FY19-24 does not assume dedicated funding for a $1.5 billion average annual capital program needed over the next decade, nor does it assume continuation of the PRIIA funding beyond its current authorization, as recommended in the Plan. Therefore, jurisdictional contributions to fund Metro are projected to grow significantly in future years to keep the system safe and reliable.

 



#2 CNJRoss

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Posted 31 October 2017 - 07:28 AM

The Washington Post,​ 10/30/17:

 

 

Metro budget sees no fare hikes, service cuts through mid-2019, but seeks more from governments
 
 
Metro riders would face no fare increases or service cuts for the next 20 months, but the jurisdictions that fund the transit agency would pay more to subsidize its costs under a new budget proposed by Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld and scheduled to be released Monday.

 

Instead of burdening riders, who are still smarting from this year’s fare hikes and service reductions, the $3.1 billion operating and capital budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 would rely on a $165 million increase in subsidies from the District, Maryland and Virginia to cover Metro’s needs.

 

The ask from the governments is less onerous than many had anticipated. But it’s still more than the jurisdictions have said they can afford, and Wiedefeld warned it’s just a taste of much bigger demands to come.

 

 

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#3 CNJRoss

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Posted 31 October 2017 - 07:30 AM

The Washington Post,​ 10/30/17:

 

 

Local leaders worry where to get the money to fund Metro budget proposal
 
October 30 at 6:17 PM

 

 

Several local elected officials said Monday that they don’t have the extra money Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld is asking them to contribute for his proposed budget for the coming fiscal year.

 

Rather than raise fares or further cut service, Wiedefeld’s proposed spending plan, released Monday, seeks a $136 million increase in capital contributions from the District, Maryland and Virginia for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Of that sum, $49 million would come from the District, $47 million would come from Maryland, and an additional $40 million would be split among jurisdictions in Northern Virginia.

 

 

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#4 CNJRoss

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Posted 19 January 2018 - 04:23 PM

WMATA news release 1/19/18:

 

Metro invites public to comment on FY2019 budget and capital investment

 

 

Metro is inviting the public to provide feedback on the Fiscal Year 2019 budget proposal focused on continued capital investment without raising fares or cutting service.

 

To balance Metro's $3.2 billion budget for the coming fiscal year, Metro is seeking additional funding from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia governments while continuing to take actions to cut costs and increase business revenues.

 

As part of the budget, Metro's Capital Improvement Program invests $1.3 billion in funding safety improvements, rebuilding the Metro system and improving reliability of the current rail and bus networks. It also funds the deployment of new trains and buses, station upgrades and other important improvements.

 

Metro values the input of its customers. Comments will be provided to the Metro Board for consideration prior to adopting the budget. The public is encouraged to comment by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 5, 2018:

  • Provide comment online
  • Attend an open house Wednesday, January 31, 2018*, at 5:30 p.m. followed by a public hearing starting at 6 p.m. Speaker registration is onsite only.
    Metro Headquarters Building
    600 Fifth St. NW
    Washington, DC 20001
    (via Metrorail: Gallery Place or Judiciary Square)
    *Note that dates may change due to weather and check wmata.com/budget for any schedule changes.

The budget proposal includes several key initiatives:

  • Continued delivery of 7000-series railcars to replace older, less reliable trains
  • New buses and paratransit vehicles
  • Additional improvements or maintenance for tracks, stations, rail power and radio and wireless systems
  • Reduce costs through management actions and competitive contracting
  • Limit the growth of the jurisdictional operating subsidy for Metro to three percent, or $29 million in FY2019

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

 

All comments submitted online, along with written statements and public hearing comments will be part of the official public hearing record and submitted to the Board of Directors in March 2018 as part of the final decision making process.

 

Metro's fiscal year 2019 budget and any approved changes would take effect in July.

 

Additional Information

The location for public hearing and outreach locations are wheelchair accessible. Any individual who requires special assistance such as a sign language interpreter or additional accommodation to participate in the public hearing, or who requires these materials in an alternate format, should call 202-962-2511 or TTY: 202-962-2033 as soon as possible in order for Metro to make necessary arrangements. For language assistance, such as an interpreter or information in another language, please call 202-962-2582 at least 48 hours prior to the public hearing date.

 

How to register to speak

All organizations or individuals desiring to be heard will be afforded the opportunity to present their views and 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 provide you with multiple ways to submit your comments into the public record including the use of a digital recorder to record your oral comments.

 

How to submit written testimony

Testimony may be submitted online about Metro's operating and capital budget at wmata.com/budget. Online submission will be available through Monday, February 5, 2018 at 5 p.m. 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 Secretary, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 600 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001. All comments must be received by the Office of the Secretary by 5 p.m. on Monday, February 5, 2018 to be included in the public record.

 

The comments received by the Office of the Secretary, along with the online submissions 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.

 



#5 CNJRoss

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Posted 01 February 2018 - 11:39 AM

WTOP radio 2/1/18:
 

Rockville mayor: Restore full Metrorail service to city

 

 

WASHINGTON — The city of Rockville, Maryland — home to Montgomery County courts, county government and such businesses as Choice Hotels International — gets half as much Metrorail service as it did in years past.

 

“Every other train stops at [Grosvenor-Strathmore], turns around and goes back into D.C.,” said Rockville Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton.

 

The mayor appeared at a public Metro budget hearing Wednesday evening to ask the transit agency to fulfill its promise of restoring full rail service to the city this summer.

 

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#6 CNJRoss

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Posted 10 February 2018 - 10:12 AM

WTOP radio 2/9/18:
 

More track work and competition have Metro expecting ridership decline

 

 

WASHINGTON — A focus on rush-hour riders and off-hour fare hikes are driving riders away from using the Metro system for short trips while increasing the portion of trips taken by long-distance commuters, Metro’s Finance Committee was told Thursday.

 

SNIP

 

The expected rail ridership drop mirrors some of the ridership declines during significant 24/7 work zones.

 

Chief Financial Officer Dennis Anosike said it reflects increasing competition from companies such as Uber and Lyft. 

 

Metro Board Chair Jack Evans said riders decide to use the system based on whether they know they will arrive on time.

 

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#7 CNJRoss

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Posted 14 February 2018 - 11:05 AM

WMATA news release:

 
February 12, 2018
  Metro statement regarding federal appropriations

 

Metro today released the following statement in response to federal appropriations of PRIIA funding:

 

We appreciate the Administration’s recognition of the important safety and reliability investments Metro requires, as well as this acknowledgment of the critical role the system plays in the nation’s capital. We will continue to work with our congressional delegation and leadership on the Hill to ensure the full $150 million PRIIA funding is included in the federal FY19 budget.

 



#8 CNJRoss

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Posted 23 March 2018 - 01:35 PM

WTOP radio 3/22/18:
 

Metro approves budget: No fare hikes or service cuts

 

 

WASHINGTON — Riders will not see any new fare hikes or service cuts in June after the Metro Board gave final approval Thursday to the agency’s budget for the coming fiscal year.

 

The $3.2 billion combined operating and capital budget was amended to reflect less cash payments upfront from jurisdictions that will instead rely on Metro bonding.

 

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#9 CNJRoss

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Posted 25 June 2019 - 06:44 AM

WTOP radio 6/25/19:
 

New Huntington entrance, shutdown work drive Metro capital spending over budget

 

 

Metro is building a new entrance at the Huntington Metro station that will eventually mean riders at the Fairfax County, Virginia rail station will no longer have to walk through an essentially condemned garage.

 

The new entrance is one piece of a significant increase in capital spending that Metro is seeking board approval for this week, even as work is already underway.

 

The Metro Board has been asked to approve a $300 million increase in capital spending, including $110 million for the budget year that ends Sunday night and $190 million for the following year.

 

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Related:

WMATA 2019 ‘summer shutdown’ on Blue, Yellow lines

WMATA seeks 'Joint' Master Developer for Huntington Station






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