Metro News Release

For immediate release: December 20, 2005

Statement from Metro on DC Council’s introduction of a WMATA dedicated funding bill

Earlier today, DC Council members Evans, Cropp, Graham and Schwartz, Council introduced legislation to dedicate one half of one percent of the districts existing sales tax, which will raise approximately $50 million annually, solely to fund the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro). The bill is intended to match $1.5 billion in federal funds proposed in a bill recently approved by the House Government Reform Committee, chaired by Rep. Tom Davis.

The Districts proposed dedicated funding bill is contingent on Maryland and Virginia dedicating an equivalent amount of their sales taxes and on Congress providing similar federal grants to Metro.

Below is a statement from Metro General Manager and CEO Richard A. White in response to the Councils action today.

"The introduction of dedicated funding legislation in the District of Columbia City Council is a very important first step toward continued viability of the national capital regions subway and bus system," said Richard A. White, General Manager and CEO of Metro. "The state and local governments and the Congress are coming together in recognition of the importance of a healthy Metro system to this region and to the federal government. The current federal, state and local contributions to Metro are insufficient to meet the demands of an ever growing number of riders and an aging transit system. Several recent expert studies have recognized the need to provide a firm financial base for Metro and the fact that Metro is the only major transit system in the nation without dedicated funding.

"In January 2005, a Blue Ribbon Panel, sponsored by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, the Greater Washington Board of Trade and the Federal City Council published a report and recommended a dedicated funding source(s) for Metro, preferably in the form of a regional sales tax. We look forward to continued dialogue among the federal, state and local governments in the national capital region, all of whom have a tremendous stake in the future of Metro."

News release issued on December 20, 2005.