D.C. Metro Seeks Public Input on Proposed Service Cuts

Faced with the task of closing a pandemic-sized hole in its budget, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro), an is asking for public input on how to cut spending, according to an article by Stephen Repetski.

"In total, the agency says it will need to cut $212 million from this year’s budget, assuming that no more Federal CARES act funding will be made available any time soon," writes Repetski. "The agency is also assuming that local jurisdictions, which contribute to the budget and subsidize service, will have no additional money to provide while dealing with their own budget crises created by the pandemic."

"Metro says it found ways to save $30 million by deferring projects in the capital budget and outlined $42.6 million in “management actions” including some furloughs and layoffs, but says they’ll need to cut the remaining $139.4 million from Metrobus/Metrorail service."

To prepare the public for the cuts, Metro created four proposals for how to cut service on Metrorail, along with a proposal for cuts on the Metrobus service. Metro official are hoping to use public input to decide among the four options.

According to data shared by Repetski, Metrobus ridership has proven much more steady and consistent during the pandemic than Metrorail ridership—a trend that has been witnessed in New York City as well.