Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

Dedicated Funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

Presentation to the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board September 21, 2005 1

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

DEDICATED FUNDING

Secure, Reliable Funding

CAPITAL FUNDING NATIONAL AVERAGE 52% METRO 0  Brookings Institution Report in June 2004 identified need for dedicated, long term funding OPERATIONAL FUNDING NATIONAL AVERAGE 33% METRO 2%  Currently, WMATA is the only transit system in the nation without a substantial dedicated funding source  WMATA’s ability to be successful in the future is dependent upon a reliable and adequate source of dedicated funding 2

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

•

Blue Ribbon Panel

Sponsored by Council of Governments, Board of Trade, Federal City Council • Panel issued a report in January 2005 • “Metro is exceeding beyond expectations – yet literally falling apart” • $300 million annual shortfall – operating/capital: – 50% - state/local dedicated funding – 50% - New federal funding • Panel assumed 5.3% growth in state/local funding, modest fare increases, and excluded Metro Access funding requirements 3

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

Metro’s Twin Challenges

Growing Pains and Aging Pains

Metro’s ridership is growing.

 Thirty-seven percent growth in past eight years (FY1997-2005)

Metro’s infrastructure is aging.

 Sixty percent of Metrorail is  20 years or age or older.

Average age of Metrobus fleet is 10.1 years* * WMATA BMNT Bus Fleet Profile, August 16, 2005 based on 1473 active fleet buses 4

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

Metropolitan Growth 2003 CLRP (2004-2030)

•The region is forecasted to grow by 1.13 million people by 2030 – 23% increase •The region is forecasted to grow by 1.1 million jobs by 2030 – 34% increase •Transit work trips are forecasted to increase by 30%, creating even more crowding • Current CLRP applies a transit ridership constraint to and through the core area in its air quality conformity analysis • Congestion on the entire regional surface transportation network is growing: - Third-most congested region in the country** - 145.5 million hours of congestion annually, but it would be even worse: 59.5 million hours of delay are saved because of public transit** - Those 145.5 hours cost the region $2.46 billion annually, but without public transportation, the region would incur another $998 million in congestion costs annually** 5 ** 2005 Urban Mobility Report, Texas Transportation Institute, May 2005.

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

Prioritizing Capital Plans

• $12.2B, 10- year (FY04-13) Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Minus • $6B of system expansion Equals • $6.2B of unfunded need for refurbishment and capacity improvements Minus • $3.3B funded through “Metro Matters” Funding Agreement

Beyond six year Metro Matters horizon, $2.9B in basic capital needs remain unfunded

6

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

Short-term relief is on the Way

 Metro Matters Funding Agreement, signed October 2004, provides interim short term relief  Addresses approximately $500 million in capital deferrals  Provides for additional bus and rail capacity to help relieve overcrowding and support short-term growth  122 additional rail cars (33% eight-car trains)  185 additional buses, facilities and improvements  The funding program buys us about four more years of relief, whereupon the problem will materialize again; new funding agreement needed in 2008 to have new funding starting in 2010 7

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

H.R. 3496

• Introduced by Rep. Tom Davis and area Members of Congress • Authorizes $1.5 billion over 10 years in federal funds for

capital

funding only • Does not cover operating needs • Federal funding contingent on amending WMATA Compact to: – Provide for state/local dedicated funding – WMATA Inspector General to report to Board – 2 federal appointees to WMATA Board 8

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

H.R. 3496 – What does it buy?

Supports ridership growth beyond 2020

340 new rail cars (100% 8-car trains) 275 new buses & 3 garages Continued system rehabilitation Pedestrian and bicycle improvements More elevators, More escalators, & Bigger mezzanines at congested stations 9

AND MORE…

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

Action Needed -- Next Steps

• Critical that the region focus on the need for dedicated funding and follow up on federal legislative initiative • Regional summit on Metro’s funding needs on October 3, 2005 • Summit is co-sponsored by Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Greater Washington Board of Trade and Federal City Council • Focus on achieving consensus among funding partners on scope and source of funding initiatives and response to federal legislation • Compact amendment process in Virginia, Maryland and 10 the District of Columbia

We need a strong recommitment of the federal/regional partnership that created Metro • Brookings and Blue Ribbon Panel reports have laid the groundwork • Proposed federal legislation, if approved, would provide separate funding for Metro • Dedicated funding commitments and approval of Compact amendments needed in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia • Time is now to proceed on establishing a renewed funding partnership and a dedicated funding source for WMATA 11