Metro News Release

For immediate release: February 7, 2013

Metro invites public to share feedback on Momentum strategic plan, upcoming budget


Three public meetings scheduled

Metro will host three public meetings next week to get public feedback on the Authority's draft strategic plan, called Momentum, and the FY14 budget.

Momentum calls for making Metro's first priority the maximization of the current transit network, and utilizing every bit of capacity available as a foundation for future growth and expansion to meet the needs of the region. Other priorities identified in the strategic plan include:

  • Developing a next-generation communications infrastructure to provide a seamless and intuitive customer experience, allowing travelers to navigate the region by transit effortlessly
  • Acquiring additional railcars, power capacity and yard storage to operate all 8 car trains during peak periods;
  • Completing the Metrobus priority corridor network to serve more riders and provide faster service;
  • Improving and expanding selected core stations to accommodate more customers;
  • Building new pedestrian connections between selected stations to provide new transfer options; and
  • Adding infrastructure to give the rail network the routing flexibility it lacks today.

At the public meetings, participants will also hear about Metro's proposed FY14 budget, which provides more rail service (Silver Line), better bus service through expansion of priority corridors, continues the Metro Forward rebuilding effort, and makes a down payment on additional electric power and rail cars needed to increase the number of 8-car trains – all without a fare increase.

The three public meetings will take place:

Monday, February 11 at 5:30 p.m.
Treetops
8181 Professional Pl
Hyattsville, MD
(Via Metrorail: New Carrollton)

Tuesday, February 12 at 5:30 p.m.
WMATA Headquarters (Jackson Graham Building)
600 5th Street NW
Washington, DC
(Via Metrorail: Gallery Place or Judiciary Sq)

Thursday, February 14 at 5:30 p.m.
Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
7130 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA
(Via Metrorail: West Falls Church)

The public meetings are part of an unprecedented public outreach effort that to date has gathered direct feedback from more than 10,000 people and raised awareness among millions. Specific outreach tactics included crowd sourcing tools, online surveys, print advertising, email to Metro customers, deliberative forums, and meetings with community and business organizations. More than 3,000 riders voiced their opinions through an online survey over a 30-day period. The majority noted the importance of Metro in their decision-making to move to the Washington Metro area, and an additional nine out of ten respondents agreed that their commutes played an important role in job selection decisions. 

 

News release issued at 4:19 pm, February 7, 2013.