Metro News Release
For immediate release: January 10, 2008
Metro budget proposal calls for more eight-car trains and buses
Metro riders would see longer trains and new buses under a $1.7 billion budget proposed today to the agency’s Board of Directors.
The fiscal 2009 budget proposed by Metro General Manager John Catoe includes $19 million in service improvements spread across rail, bus and the paratransit service. It sets aside money to improve on-time performance of buses, maintenance of the rail system and rehabilitation of old escalators. It holds improvements for safety and MetroAccess, including adding up to 100 vehicles and door-to-door service. The agency has hired a new safety chief and is focused on cutting accidents in half within five years.
“We have heard from our customers loud and clear,” said Catoe. “This budget is about improving safety, reliability and service. More six-and eight-car trains and newer trains, newer buses and other improvements will mean fewer breakdowns, which translates into more reliable service. We also want to dedicate $3 million to improving our top bus customer complaint – buses arriving on time.”
There are plans to expand the installation of safety warning strobe lights on Metrobuses that service Maryland and Virginia. The program was started last year in the District of Columbia to improve pedestrian safety. Metro safety officials also plan more pedestrian safety outreach programs, and hope to participate in a Federal Transit Administration track walker safety protection program.
The proposal comes a few days after Metro raised fares to help cover a $142 million gap budget analysts had projected for the 2009 fiscal year, which begins in July. The operating budget is $1.3 billion, $167 million more than last year’s spending plan.
“It’s generally costing us more to do business,” said Catoe. “We’re paying more for fuel and electricity to run additional trains and buses. Parts cost more money too. There are service improvements and higher labor costs.”
Increased fares and ridership will generate $789 million, a $134 million increase over last year’s spending plan. Analysts project ridership will grow by 2.5 percent for rail, 1 percent for bus and 16 percent for MetroAccess. Local governments served by Metro also are being asked to pay 6.5 percent more, or $33 million, to close the budget gap.
Metro officials pointed out they have avoided passing on an additional $63 million in costs due to layoffs and other internal cuts and new initiatives to raise additional revenue.
The capital improvement budget is nearly $445 million, with most of the money going toward purchasing trains and buses, overhauling escalators and making improvements to bus and rail facilities. All of the 184 6000 series railcars and 203 new buses are expected to be in service by June 2009.
“For our customers, this will mean half of the trains on the rail lines will be eight-cars long during rush hours and fewer breakdowns and crowding on buses. The average age of the bus fleet is now 7 instead of 10 years,” said Catoe.
The Metro Board isn’t expected to approve a final budget until June.
News release issued at 12:00 am, January 10, 2008.