The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has opened its fiscal year 2027 budget proposal for public comment, inviting community input on its $4.8 billion operating and capital budget. The proposal is highlighted on WMATA’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget page and is crucial for shaping the future of public transportation in the region.
Public feedback will be accepted online until February 10, and WMATA plans to summarize this input for the board in March. This proactive approach allows local residents to voice their opinions and influence vital aspects of transportation in the area.
WMATA’s budget proposal focuses on enhancing service efficiency, with plans for improvements in bus scheduling, train automation, and adjustments to train sizes, implementing both six-car and eight-car trains. These initiatives are aimed at bolstering reliability and reducing travel times for commuters. The agency also shared that Metrorail service frequency will increase on weekdays, evenings, and late at night, along with enhanced peak-period capacity. Notably, fare increases are not part of this budget proposal, which is welcome news for transit users.
In addition to operational enhancements, the proposed budget outlines significant capital investments targeting the betterment of rail cars, facilities, systems, and infrastructure, including track and station rehabilitation. These investments are crucial to improving overall service and enhancing the customer experience.
The public’s involvement during this budget proposal period is an encouraging sign of WMATA’s commitment to transparency and community engagement, essential elements for the continued growth and improvement of public transit in the Washington Metropolitan area.