Metro has $5.12 billion in unfunded safety, maintenance and equipment needs — one of the reasons the federal government is reluctant to provide a critical $900 million for the faltering Dulles Rail extension, according to Federal Transit Administrator James Simpson.
Simpson told The Examiner two weeks ago that Metro’s shortfall was $7 billion, but said late last week that he had miscalculated.
He said in discussions between Metro officials and FTA officials in the last month, Metro highlighted $500 million in unfunded projects the agency is undertaking and $4.3 billion it lacked for overall capital needs — a category that includes maintaining and replacing rails, tunnels, buses and equipment.
The $4.3 billion was drawn from a 2004 study by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments that identified $6 billion in unfunded needs for Metro through 2014.
While Metro later received $3 billion for the six years ending in 2011, the remaining $3 billion has not been funded.
FTA spokesman Paul Griffo said Metro officials adjusted that $3 billion for inflation, mostly to account for the rising cost of buses, and arrived at the $4.3 billion figure.
Griffo said Metro also gave federal officials a 30-page document detailing $167 million in urgent unfunded needs and a $156 million shortfall in funding for new rail cars.
Metro has repeatedly denied giving any such document to the FTA, and the FTA has denied The Examiner’s requests to see it.
Metro General Manager John Catoe said last week that he never gave numbers to the FTA and that any attempt by the FTA to quantify the capital needs of Metro was premature as the transit agency is tallying the numbers for a June report.
“I don’t know the number of that program yet — I think it’s going to be $3 billion-plus, but I don’t know if it’s going to be $7 billion,” Catoe said, referring to Simpson’s original number. “And if it is $7 billion, I have to give the administrator credit for his ability to see into the future.”
Catoe said last week that he would ask the Metro board of directors this month for $150 million for urgent unfunded needs.
Metro Board Chairman Chris Zimmerman said Metro has always been clear about the need for more federal funding. Metro is the only major transit agency in the United States without a dedicated source of funds.
While Virginia, Maryland and the District have agreed to match $1.5 billion in federal funds for Metro’s capital needs over the next 10 years, the federal funds have not been allocated.
