WASHINGTON — A "death spiral for transit" was how one Metro official described the potential the agency is facing in light of a looming $750 million budget shortfall - nearly 30% of its overall budget starting next summer.
The problem, Metro says, fewer people are riding Metro while at the same time it's getting more expensive to operate.
Just when service seemed to be back on track with new lines completed, new stations open, and ridership starting to return, Tuesday Metro said it is facing cuts that could be the beginning of the end for transit in the DMV.
Metro says it will take drastic cuts to offset the shortfall in the 2025 fiscal year that starts in July of 2024.
The agency is projecting it will be forced to slash two-thirds of all bus and train service - pushing wait times on Metro from 6-12 minutes, to 20-30 minutes between trains.
With train and bus service ending at 9:30 p.m. there would be no service for nightlife or special events.
Metro says the trains would be crowded, and maybe too full to board during rush hour.
Metro says while riders are coming back, the system is a long way from pre-pandemic ridership.
At the same time union wages tied to inflation are going up.
And hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding that has kept Metro running during the pandemic comes to an end next year.
Other than fares, Metro can't raise any money on its own.
It doesn't have dedicated tax to help pay for the system, and Metro says it can't raise fares enough to fill this gap.
So, the money will have to come from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia tax dollars.
Metro says it's sounding the alarm now, in the hope that regional leaders will have time to come up with creative solutions.
Metro declined to take any questions on camera today, but promised we will hear from them at their board meeting Thursday.
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