Yesterday, the regional task force overseeing DMVMoves, a joint initiative of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), held its inaugural meeting at the Arlington County Bozman Government Center. The group of leaders – co-chaired by COG Board Chair and District of Columbia Councilmember Charles Allen and WMATA Board Chair Paul C. Smedberg – met to discuss local and regional transit systems’ ridership, service levels, assets, and finances with the goal of developing a unified vision and sustainable funding model for the region’s transit network, which are fundamental to the advancement of the National Capital Region’s transportation, environmental, and economic goals.

The task force took an in-depth look at topics that vary across local transit systems – from fare policies and payment methods to service hours and signage. Members expressed interest in exploring how to provide more frequent transit service regionwide as well as creating a more seamless network among the region’s more than dozen systems to enhance transit users’ experience and make transit their preferred option. The group also discussed the funding models of peer transit agencies across the nation as a next step in establishing dedicated capital and operational funding that will serve as a foundation for the future of transit in the DMV. Officials have outlined an ambitious timeline for the DMVMoves initiative with final recommendations planned for May 2025.

"We are starting from a good place with a lot of really great transit. Now, how do we make it better and more integrated, seamless, and reliable?" said Smedberg. "We have a lot of work ahead of us, but by next May, we hope to have everyone on the same page about what world class transit means to the DMV and how to fund it."

Smedberg and Allen said they were encouraged by the collective sense of urgency to address a transit funding issue that has been around for nearly 50 years.

"Today was a great starting point for a very big conversation. We look forward to identifying the region’s priorities for great transit and coming up with a plan to make it a reality," said Allen. "We can find our way towards solutions, but I think what the discussion represented today was the will to get it done."

The discussion was the first of many as part of the DMVMoves work plan. The task force is made up of 23 regional leaders – eighteen COG appointees, four WMATA appointees, and a federal representative. Additionally, two government and community advisory groups will be providing insight to help guide task force recommendations and support action plans. The selected individuals represent the region and will provide strategic direction to shape the DMVMoves initiative.

Last week, COG and WMATA announced the launch of the DMVMoves website, www.dmvmoves.org. The site provides a central location for news, resources, and updates on the progress of the initiative as well as livestreams of the task force meetings. The next task force meeting will be held in September 2024 at a location in Maryland.

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For documents and video of the June 10 DMVMoves Task Force meeting, visit the event page.