Metro to hold first public hearings starting Monday on proposed FY23 budget, improvements

Beginning Monday, February 7, Metro will hold the first of three public hearings for people to weigh in on Metro’s Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget. Hearings will be held next week and will provide for both virtual and in person public participation options.

The $4.8 billion proposed capital and operating budget is focused on providing safe, reliable and affordable transit to the region, introducing new fare and service improvements and making permanent improved 2021 fare and service changes. This includes more frequent bus and rail service, a $2 transfer discount providing free bus fare on all regular routes when transferring to/from rail, discounted passes and bonus rewards, and cheaper weekend and late-night fares.

The budget also supports the expansion of Metrorail service, adding seven new stations with the opening of the final phase of the Silver Line to Dulles Airport and Loudoun County and completion of the new Potomac Yard Station.  

Metro is encouraging the public to attend or provide additional input by phone, via video, or in person during one of three public hearings:

February 7, 2022 (6 p.m.)
Ellen M. Bozman Government Center
County Board Room
2100 Clarendon Blvd #307
Arlington, VA

February 8, 2022 (6 p.m.)
WMATA Headquarters
(Jackson Graham Building)
600 5th St NW
Washington, DC

February 9, 2022 (6 p.m.)
City of College Park
7401 Baltimore Ave
Suite 201
College Park, MD

All locations are accessible via Metrorail or Metrobus. View the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget and Proposed Fare and Service Changes for additional information.

How to participate

• Phone: Call 855-925-2801 and enter meeting code 8563. No preregistration available.
• Video: Preregister by emailing speak@wmata.com by 5 p.m. the business day before the public hearing.
• In-person: Preregister by emailing speak@wmata.com or calling 202-962-2511 by 5 p.m. the business day before the public hearing. You can also register on-site.

In-person public hearings are subject to mask and social distancing requirements. In order to minimize crowding and maintain social distancing, those attending in person are being asked to leave after providing their testimony. Public hearings may shift to virtual-only due to pandemic-related health restrictions. We encourage you to participate virtually.

Those unable to participate in the public hearing may provide feedback until 5 p.m., Tuesday, February 15, 2022:

• Online: Take a survey, provide written comments, and upload documents at wmata.com/budget 
• Mail: For those without access to computers or internet, comments may also be mailed to:
  Office of the Board Corporate Secretary
  Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
  600 Fifth Street NW, Washington, DC 20001.

The public hearings will be streamed online at wmata.com/budget and at Metro’s YouTube page.   

Public feedback will be provided to Metro's Board of Directors as part of the final decision-making process. Board-approved changes will begin on or about the start of FY23, which begins July 1, 2022, unless approved otherwise.

A summary of key proposals and additional information about the proposals and ways to provide feedback is available at wmata.com/budget.