Metro is soliciting input on its proposed fiscal year 2022 budget, available at wmata.com/budget. Complete Metro’s budget survey by March 16, 2021. The survey walks you through the proposed rail changes, which are easier to digest. Metro proposes keeping rail service at current levels for the remainder of 2021 and proposes an alternative plan beginning January 1, 2022, if additional funding is not secured. The alternative rail plan includes options for service frequency, operating hours (with system closing at 9:00 pm instead of 11:00 pm), turning back trains on the red and yellow lines, and closing some metro stations (Archives, Arlington Cemetery, Cheverly, Clarendon, Cleveland Park, College Park, East Falls Church, Eisenhower Ave, Federal Center SW, Federal Triangle, Greensboro, Grosvenor-Strathmore, Judiciary Sq, McLean, Morgan Boulevard, Mt Vernon Sq, Smithsonian, Van Dorn St, Virginia Square, Innovation Center*, Loudoun Gateway*, and Reston Town Center* – *Pending opening of Silver Line Phase II).

If you are interested in commenting on bus changes, look at the links for proposed bus changes on Metro’s budget website before completing the survey.

ANC 4B recently passed a resolution addressing Metro’s proposed budget. One of the ANC’s recommendations is that Metro “reopen the public comment period for the FY2022 budget before the final six months ‘fiscal cliff’ budget period that results in substantial service cuts in January 2022, especially if there is a possibility of additional federal or jurisdictional funding.” It is worth looking at some of the other recommendations in that resolution as well.

Bus routes near Fort Totten Metro station

Routes 60, 64
Route 80
Route E2
Route E4
Route F6
Route K2
Routes K6
Routes R1, R2

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Ed. Note: Information below is copied from Metro’s budget website:

Proposed FY22 changes

Proposed DC bus changes | Proposed MD bus changes | Proposed VA bus changes | Proposed rail changes | Proposed parking changes

Metro’s financial future

Metro is facing a significant budget shortfall due to a decrease in ridership caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. A second relief package from Congress in December 2020 allowed Metro to avoid layoffs, continue providing essential travel service and prepare for transit ridership to return. However, even with the additional funding there is not enough money to fill the entire budget gap for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2021. 

Metro is working with our Congressional delegation to secure additional funding to continue providing service as the region comes back to work. But service cuts remain a looming threat, and Metro must plan accordingly.

Metro’s budget for Fiscal Year 2022 (July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022) is under consideration now, and Metro is requesting your feedback. Metro’s Board of Directors and management will consider your feedback when making difficult decisions this spring.

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Tell us what matters to you

Public feedback is vital in helping Metro’s Board of Directors and management make decisions about pandemic recovery. Let us know what you think by 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, 2021.

Take the survey and provide comments

Take the survey and submit written comments here or call toll-free 844-468-5748 and provide your feedback.

Participate in a Virtual Public Hearing

Because of the ongoing pandemic, Metro will be hosting all Public Hearings virtually. To provide oral testimony at a hearing, participants must call toll-free 512-580-8850 and enter the four-digit meeting code for the Public Hearing you’d like to attend. 

Below is a list of dates, times and meeting codes for each of the virtual Public Hearings:
Date/Time: Monday, March 8, 2021, 11 a.m. 
Host: Board Member Paul Smedberg
Meeting Code: 9476

Date/Time: Monday, March 8, 2021, 6 p.m. Hearing will focus on proposed changes in DC, but is open to everyone.
Host: Board Member Stephanie Gidigbi-Jenkins
Meeting Code: 3811

Date/Time: Tuesday, March 9, 2021, 6 p.m. Hearing will focus on proposed changes in Maryland, but is open to everyone.
Host: Board Member Michael Goldman
Meeting Code: 9131

Date/Time: Wednesday, March 10, 2021, 6 p.m. Hearing will focus on proposed changes in Virginia, but is open to everyone.
Hosts: Board Members Paul Smedberg and Walter Alcorn
Meeting Code: 9141

Watch or listen live
Watch or listen to the Public Hearings live on this page, on YouTube.com/MetroForward or by calling toll-free 512-580-8850 and entering in the four-digit meeting code.

Public feedback will be provided to Metro’s Board of Directors in April 2021 as part of the final decision-making process. Any Board-approved changes will begin after Board approval in April 2021.

Proposed Changes

• 2021 proposed service plan
• 2022 proposed service plan
• Proposed parking fee reductions
• Metro’s Capital Budget

Click on the links above to learn more details about each of these proposals.