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Presentation to the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board September 21, 2005

Presentation to the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board September 21, 2005. Dedicated Funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. DEDICATED FUNDING CAPITAL FUNDING NATIONAL AVERAGE 52% METRO 0 OPERATIONAL FUNDING

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Presentation to the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board September 21, 2005

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  1. Presentation to theNational Capital Region Transportation Planning BoardSeptember 21, 2005 Dedicated Funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

  2. DEDICATED FUNDING CAPITAL FUNDING NATIONAL AVERAGE 52% METRO 0 OPERATIONAL FUNDING NATIONAL AVERAGE 33% METRO 2% Secure, Reliable Funding • Brookings Institution Report in June 2004 identified need for dedicated, long term funding • Currently, WMATA is the only transit system in the nation without a substantial dedicated funding source • WMATA’s ability to be successful in the future is dependent upon a reliable and adequate source of dedicated funding

  3. Blue Ribbon Panel • Sponsored by Council of Governments, Board of Trade, Federal City Council • Panel issued a report in January 2005 • “Metro is exceeding beyond expectations – yet literally falling apart” • $300 million annual shortfall – operating/capital: • 50% - state/local dedicated funding • 50% - New federal funding • Panel assumed 5.3% growth in state/local funding, modest fare increases, and excluded Metro Access funding requirements

  4. Metro’s Twin Challenges Growing Pains and Aging Pains Metro’s ridership is growing. • Thirty-seven percent growth in past eight years (FY1997-2005) Metro’s infrastructure is aging. • Sixty percent of Metrorail is 20 years or age or older. • Average age of Metrobus fleet is 10.1 years* * WMATA BMNT Bus Fleet Profile, August 16, 2005 based on 1473 active fleet buses

  5. Metropolitan Growth 2003 CLRP (2004-2030) • The region is forecasted to grow by 1.13 million people by 2030 – 23% increase • The region is forecasted to grow by 1.1 million jobs by 2030 – 34% increase • Transit work trips are forecasted to increase by 30%, creating even more crowding • Current CLRP applies a transit ridership constraint to and through the core area in its air quality conformity analysis • Congestion on the entire regional surface transportation network is growing: • - Third-most congested region in the country** • - 145.5 million hours of congestion annually, but it would be even worse: 59.5 million hours of delay are saved because of public transit** • - Those 145.5 hours cost the region $2.46 billion annually, but without public transportation, the region would incur another $998 million in congestion costs annually** ** 2005 Urban Mobility Report, Texas Transportation Institute, May 2005.

  6. Prioritizing Capital Plans • $12.2B, 10- year (FY04-13) Capital Improvement Program (CIP) • $6B of system expansion • $6.2B of unfunded need for refurbishment and capacity improvements • $3.3B funded through “Metro Matters” Funding Agreement Minus Equals Minus Beyond six year Metro Matters horizon, $2.9B in basic capital needs remain unfunded

  7. Short-term relief is on the Way • Metro Matters Funding Agreement, signed October 2004, provides interim short term relief • Addresses approximately $500 million in capital deferrals • Provides for additional bus and rail capacity to help relieve overcrowding and support short-term growth • 122 additional rail cars (33% eight-car trains) • 185 additional buses, facilities and improvements • The funding program buys us about four more years of relief, whereupon the problem will materialize again; new funding agreement needed in 2008 to have new funding starting in 2010

  8. H.R. 3496 • Introduced by Rep. Tom Davis and area Members of Congress • Authorizes $1.5 billion over 10 years in federal funds for capital funding only • Does not cover operating needs • Federal funding contingent on amending WMATA Compact to: • Provide for state/local dedicated funding • WMATA Inspector General to report to Board • 2 federal appointees to WMATA Board

  9. H.R. 3496 – What does it buy?Supports ridership growth beyond 2020 275 new buses & 3 garages 340 new rail cars (100% 8-car trains) More elevators,More escalators, &Bigger mezzaninesat congested stations Continued system rehabilitation Pedestrian and bicycle improvements AND MORE…

  10. Action Needed -- Next Steps • Critical that the region focus on the need for dedicated funding and follow up on federal legislative initiative • Regional summit on Metro’s funding needs on October 3, 2005 • Summit is co-sponsored by Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Greater Washington Board of Trade and Federal City Council • Focus on achieving consensus among funding partners on scope and source of funding initiatives and response to federal legislation • Compact amendment process in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia

  11. We need a strong recommitmentof the federal/regional partnershipthat created Metro • Brookings and Blue Ribbon Panel reports have laid the groundwork • Proposed federal legislation, if approved, would provide separate funding for Metro • Dedicated funding commitments and approval of Compact amendments needed in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia • Time is now to proceed on establishing a renewed funding partnership and a dedicated funding source for WMATA

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