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Local leaders across Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland have endorsed a plan to add $460 million to Metro’s annual capital budget, giving a major boost to a regional effort to secure the transit system’s financial future.
The DMVMoves Task Force recommends increasing dedicated capital funding and allowing that investment to grow by 3% each year to address inflation and support a revolving bond program.
Virginia endorsements came from leaders in Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun counties, as well as Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church and Manassas. In Maryland, the proposal received support from leaders in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and the cities of College Park, Greenbelt and Rockville.
Metro General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke said the collective support would help the system continue providing the level of service the Washington region needs.
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Executive Director Clark Mercer said the unanimous local endorsements demonstrated the importance of Metro and the region’s broader transit network to its economy and quality of life. Regional officials will continue working to obtain the funding and carry out recommendations for a more integrated system.
DMVMoves began in May 2024, bringing officials from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia together to develop a shared vision for more efficient, reliable and seamless transit.
After 18 months of meetings and working-group discussions, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and Council of Governments boards voted in November to endorse future dedicated Metro funding. They also backed recommendations to improve coordination among the region’s 14 transit operators, including Metro, MARC, Virginia Railway Express and local bus systems.
Participating jurisdictions are now working through governing boards and legislative sessions to determine how to advance the recommended capital investment.