Metro News Release
For immediate release: July 29, 2005
WMATA Expresses its Sincere AppreciationTo Area Congressional Delegation For Passage Of Federal Surface Transportation Bill, Railcar Funds
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) today praised members of the region’s congressional delegation for their strong efforts to secure passage of a favorable federal surface transportation reauthorization bill which includes $100 million for Metro’s purchase of 52 new rail cars. This action will enable WMATA to move towards the implementation of eight-car train service, with initial start-up by the end of calendar year 2006.
"WMATA is very pleased that the United States Congress has concluded its deliberations on the federal surface transportation bill and that the President has indicated that he will sign into law," said Richard A. White, Metro’s General Manager and Chief Executive Officer. "We are particularly appreciative of the tenacious efforts of our area delegation -- especially Senators Paul Sarbanes and John Warner, and DC Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton -- who devoted themselves to making sure that this region receives much-needed federal funding for critical transportation projects, as well as reinvestment in our existing transportation infrastructure.
"We are particularly grateful to Senator Sarbanes," Mr. White continued, "who as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee that has jurisdiction of the transit section of the bill, was instrumental in securing the $100 million for our railcars."
Other members of the area delegation include Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski; Virginia Senator George Allen; Maryland Representatives Steny Hoyer, Albert Wynn, and Chris VanHollen; and Virginia Representatives Tom Davis, Jim Moran and Frank Wolf.
The additional railcars will help alleviate crowded conditions that now exist on Metrorail, particularly during the peak periods. WMATA has experienced a 33 percent ridership growth over the past eight years and today carries an average of 724,403 people each weekday. The new rail cars will enable WMATA to move towards eight-car trains operations to the one-third of the rail system by December 2007.
These federal funds will assist in the Metro Matters funding agreement the region entered into last year. The $100 million will fund Metro’s current $600 million rail car program to purchase 122 rail cars, expands three rail yard facilities and system improvements required for eight-car train operations. The remaining funds will come from the state and local governments in the Washington metropolitan region.
WMATA is also pleased that additional federal funds are available for other transit projects and that the bill includes language that will help the Rail to Dulles project secure future federal construction funds.
News release issued on July 29, 2005.