Metro News Release

For immediate release: February 18, 2010

February snowstorms cost Metro $18 million

Agency to seek reimbursement for snow-clearing efforts

The February 2010 snowstorms cost Metro an estimated $18 million---$8 million for snow removal efforts and $9.7 million in lost revenue.

Metrorail service was limited to underground service on several days due to the blizzards, resulting in a tremendous loss of ridership. Also, Metro is also experiencing additional revenue losses from unusable parking spaces at parking lots throughout the system that are still covered in snow and ice.

The $8 million in expenses for snow removal include labor costs such as overtime for employees; money paid to private contractors for snow removal services; deicer, salt and additional fuel needed for snow removal equipment.

“Metro is currently working with the Commonwealth of Virginia, District of Columbia, and the State of Maryland to submit costs to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for potential reimbursement associated with the snow storms,” said Carol Kissal, Metro’s Chief Financial Officer. “We are aggressively pursuing recovery of the $8 million in snow removal costs and the $9.7 million in lost revenue” through federal disaster aid, she said. Metro will also pursue recovering other administrative costs, including equipment and damage to Metro property.

The heavy snowfall in December 2009 cost Metro approximately $2.7 million in snow removal and lost revenue.

News release issued at 3:21 pm, February 18, 2010.