WASHINGTON — Leaders across the D.C. region met Wednesday to discuss creating a unified vision for public transit in the District, Maryland and Virginia. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) hosted its first-ever joint Board of Directors meeting.
Both boards of directors met to discuss the new initiative called DMV Moves, which would develop a unified vision and sustainable funding model for public transit across the DMV. The initial meeting is to agree upon creating a task force to lead the effort. Following a two-hour meeting, top leaders from different jurisdictions across the DMV approved a resolution to establish a 20-person task force.
The meeting was the next step in bringing the COG and WMATA together. Last month, WMATA Board of Directors Chair Paul C. Smedberg and Metro General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke presented at the COG Board of Directors meeting to discuss interest in the regional partnership, which was proposed by COG Board Chair Charles Allen.
The planned partnership builds on recent coordination related to WMATA's FY 2025 financial challenges. It also provides an opportunity for the region to act with urgency to fully address complex, long-term transit needs.
Metro just approved a $4.8 billion budget to keep services stable and avoid drastic cuts.
Allen said while it's early in the process to determine solutions to fiscal challenges, he believes increased revenue is likely necessary.
"We don't want to lurch from crisis to crisis," Allen said.
"This joint initiative is an important step towards a collaborative approach to regional problem solving," Clarke added. "Our leaders have already made good-faith efforts to address some of Metro's ongoing financial challenges. I am confident this important work will allow us to look at the region holistically and move towards solutions that benefit us all."
Right now, the region's transit network is made up of more than a dozen rail and bus providers — including WMATA. Officials note that these providers offer varying service levels, different technologies and fare policies, as well as an array of funding and governing models that do not always work together for the benefit of our residents and visitors.
"Our public transit network is our region's most significant, shared asset," said COG Executive Director Clark Mercer. "I could not be more pleased our leadership is seizing this valuable opportunity to collaborate and ensure the region's public transit is positioned for long-term success."
The historic collaboration would address the public transit system from a regional approach unlike we've seen before.
During the meeting, officials brought up different opportunities and challenges, including improving the bus system, making it seamless for bus riders to take the rail, and economic development.
"We have equity issues," Fairfax County Supervisor Rodney Lusk said.
There is another meeting on June 10. The goal is to finalize a plan with action steps and a funding model by this time next year.
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