DC-Area Jurisdictions Pledge Bridge Funding for Transit

Washington, D.C. officials committed “up to $200 million” to the region’s ailing transit system to help close a budget gap that was projected to rise to $750 million, reports Sarah Y. Kim in DCist. Additionally, “Maryland and Virginia have proposed budget commitments of $150 million and $130 million respectively,” bringing the total to $480 million—much closer to the deficit that is now projected at only $500 million.

“D.C. leaders stressed that the additional funding is only a short-term solution and that WMATA and the jurisdictions would need to get back to the table this spring to work on long-term solutions. They also said WMATA’s funding formula is ‘seriously flawed’ and that they would need to collaborate on a new formula for the 2026 fiscal year.” Unlike other agencies, the WMATA doesn’t have a dedicated source of funding, relying on a patchwork of local and federal funding and fare revenue.