The Metro system could be taking another hit.
President Obama’s budget proposal unveiled Monday calls for cutting Metro’s annual $150 million contribution by $15 million. That in turn could jeopardize state and local funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
“While this reduction is necessary given difficult fiscal circumstances, the President’s surface transportation plan would substantially increase overall transit funding and would benefit both the Washington D.C. area and transit systems nationwide…The Administration recognizes that WMATA must achieve progress in long-term capital reinvestment in the rail system and supports direct Federal assistance to accomplish priority investments for rail system safety and reliability. This reduction reflects the desire to submit a budget within discretionary spending caps in the Budget Control Act of 2011, and to find savings throughout the Budget, while still investing in critical infrastructure priorities.”
The money is part of a four-way deal with Maryland, Virginia, the District and the federal government to support Metro’s longterm infrastructure needs. Each of the local communities is supposed to contribute $50 each per year for 10 years to match the federal $150 million match.
But taking away one element of it, or a portion of it, could throw those funding agreements into question.
