It seems like almost every year, Metro releases a doomsday budget because of its unfortunate funding structure. For its fiscal year 2025 budget, Metro states that in the absence of additional funding, it is looking to close a $750 million budget gap in several ways.

• Financial Management – $95 Million in contract services management, office consolidation efficiencies, vacancy, and personnel expense management
• No salary increases for employees (administrative staff and union staff)
• Half of bus routes cut
• Train frequency increases to trains every 15 minutes on weekdays, 20 minutes on weekends
• 20% fare increase
• Metro Access service area limited which will limit travel
• 10 p.m. early closures for rail system
• Close 10 stations (exact stations TBD)
• Turn back half of Red Line Trains at Grosvenor and Silver Spring
• Turn back Silver Line Trains at Stadium-Armory
• Use of Preventive Maintenance funds which put priority investments at risk

Budget information at https://wmata.com/budget.

A neighbor took a look at the neighborhood impacts of the threatened severe cuts in the FY2025 budget. Out of the various proposed cuts, the bus service cuts include several specific impacts to the neighborhood. Most of the buses serving Fort Totten Metro station would be affected. Routes E2 (Fort Totten to Ivy City), 70 (Fort Totten to Petworth), and K2 (Fort Totten to Takoma) would be eliminated. Routes 80 (North Capitol Street, K6 (New Hampshire Avenue), 64 (Fort Totten to Federal Triangle), and R1 and R2 (Riggs Road) would be reduced. Routes F1 and F2, which have a few stops in Lamond, also would be eliminated.

Metro is requesting a one-time adjustment of the baseline subsidy from DC, Maryland, and Virginia in order to avoid having to implement this doomsday budget. Metro would have to start taking steps to freeze hiring and reduce staff as early as January 2024, so Metro states that the sooner it has clarity from the jurisdictions, the better.

Metro’s board is meeting today. Over the next couple of months, Metro’s board and staff will work together to finalize a proposed budget. Metro plans to provide information about a public hearing and an opportunity to submit comments in February 2024.