Posts tagged Wmata Budget
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WMATA budget deep dive, part 2: Bus service cuts
In addition to the $15 million of rail service cuts discussed in part 1, WMATA’s proposed FY2011 budget targets bus service for net cost recductions of $18 million. It lists a pool of bus service reductions (pages 19-21) that total about $31 million in costs, or $26.5 million after factoring in ridership losses. Metrobus ridership has dropped much more than… Keep reading…
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WMATA budget deep dive, part 1: Metrorail service cuts
In this series, I’ll examine the different components of WMATA’s proposal to close its $189.2 million FY 2011 budget gap, plus a few other options not part of WMATA’s proposal. At the end, I’ll offer some recommendations and alternatives. WMATA proposes a range of Metrorail service reductions totaling $32.5 million. They estimate the reductions… Keep reading…
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Fairfax residents: Call or email your supervisors
The Fairfax County Board is going to review their proposed FY2011 budget tomorrow, and will advertise maximum tax rates and fees, possibly closing the door on the opportunity to realistically contribute more to WMATA. Please call or email your Supervisor and Chairman Bulova today to ask them to advertise a higher cap with room for transit contributions. In Virginia, once a county… Keep reading…
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Arlington opens door to higher WMATA contributions
On Saturday, the Arlington County Board took a key action to make it possible for the County to contribute extra revenue to WMATA necessary to balance the FY2011 budget without “death spiral”-inducing service cuts. The General Manager’s proposed budget contains painful measures to close the $189.2 million budget gap, including rail cuts such as no 8-car… Keep reading…
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WMATA Board meeting this morning
The WMATA Board will meet this morning. The Finance committee will be discussing a Rosslyn station entrance, at-will employment, the 10¢ fare increase, the capital program, and then the FY2011 budget. The Customer Service, Operations and Safety Committee will then discuss the artwork and on-time performance; it doesn’t appear they’ll discuss snow or… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: WMATA and Richmond
Gunn to look at Metro; Snow buries budget; Arlington musters more for Metro; Bike-hating legislators; Driver assaults good Samaritan; Carpooling only for civilians?; Balancing budget on the backs of bikes; Drive exactly 55!. Keep reading…
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Is using capital for operations saving our service or mortgaging our future?
WMATA faces difficult decisions about whether to use capital funds for “preventive maintenance” that is currently paid for by the operating budget. During the recent debate over closing a $40 million WMATA budget gap, Metro Board members Jim Graham and Chris Zimmerman express what seem to be widely divergent public views. Graham said, “The best… Keep reading…
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WMATA releases preliminary budget, gap now $190M
There’s no time to rest. Just hours after the WMATA Board approved a resolution to the FY2010 budget, staff released the General Manager’s preliminary budget for FY2011, which starts July 1. According to the report, the recent labor arbitration and a continued decline in revenues have pushed the budget shortfall to almost $190 million, about $15 million more than… Keep reading…
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Board approves no service cuts
The WMATA Board just approved a FY2010 budget plan much like Option 4, with no service increases reductions and an across-the-board fare surcharge of 10¢. Arlington’s Chris Zimmerman created a resolution that modified Option 4 based on what he and other members heard last night. Among them was a directive to make more administrative cuts in lieu of some use of capital… Keep reading…
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Riders pack efficient hearing to push for Option 4
Over 170 riders gave their opinions of the WMATA FY2010 budget at last night’s hearing. Almost all argued against service cuts, and among those who picked one of the four options, they overwhelmingly recommended Option 4, the 10¢ 4-month fare hike. Many noted the difficult choice Metro faces; both the Examiner and WAMU quoted Rodney Green, who analogized the situation… Keep reading…