Metro is considering shutting down a total of 19 stations and ceasing weekend rail service “in the face of a historic budget shortfall” due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is estimated to have a budget gap of around $494.5 million as it has seen record-low ridership during the pandemic, according to a report released by the agency on Monday.
“The Proposed FY2022 Budget preserves barebones service to sustain essential travel and to ensure the network is in place to serve regional recovery,” says a presentation that the Metro board will hear about its fiscal year 2022 budget on Friday.
“Preserving even this limited service requires contributions from all stakeholders. The Proposed FY2022 Budget includes salary freezes, layoffs, limited service for customers, and jurisdictional subsidy above FY2021. Proposed Operating Budget savings were also achieved through a one-time, significant increase to capital support for operating maintenance activities.”
The Proposed FY2022 Budget aims to balance the transit agency’s limited funding with continuing essential travel.