Metro

(ep_jhu/Flickr)

Metro is fundamental to metropolitan Washington’s mobility, economy, and sustainability, and COG has a long history of helping ensure the system is in a strong position to serve the region.

Beginning with the COG Annual Leadership Retreat in July 2023, COG has convened representatives of the governors of Maryland and Virginia and the mayor of the District of Columbia along with local government officials to help address Metro’s looming deficit for its FY 2025 budget and beyond as federal transit relief expires, costs have risen with inflation, and weekday ridership patterns have changed following shifts to commuting habits since COVID. COG's Chief Administrative Officers Committee Workgroup on WMATA Cost Structure has been preparing a report and recommendations assessing different options to address the FY 2025 deficit and proposing an even more comprehensive examination of the system's funding models and governance in 2024 to solve its structural issues once and for all. 

Chief Administrative Officers Committee Workgroup on WMATA Cost Structure - Interim Report
 

BACKGROUND

After the debut of Metrorail and amid concerns about future construction costs, COG and the Transportation Planning Board carried out a major analysis in 1976 of the costs of completing the original 103-mile system. The Metrorail Alternatives Analysis concluded that finishing the rail system would be a sound investment and was the first of several major studies regional leaders asked COG to undertake, such as the reports of the Blue Ribbon Metro Funding Panel in 2005 and the Joint WMATA Governance Review Task Force in 2010.

More recently, COG helped the region forge consensus and lay the groundwork for the landmark Metro dedicated capital funding agreement in 2018 along with public, private, and civic sector partners. COG also created the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission on behalf of the states and has coordinated with Metro and area fire departments to develop new safety protocols and improved emergency communications.