Make a Pledge to Metro

At 30, Metro is aging and desperately needs a dedicated funding source to ensure its future.

Last year the Metro funding panel noted that Metro is the only major transit system in the nation that lacks a significant dedicated source of funding for operations and capital maintenance. Systems in Los Angeles, Houston and Seattle derive more than half their budgets from regionally dedicated revenue, while systems in New York, Boston and Chicago have dedicated support of 20 to 30 percent. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, with almost no dedicated revenue, faces deficits of hundreds of millions of dollars in the next several years.

The panel, sponsored by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), the Federal City Council and the Greater Washington Board of Trade, recommended that the jurisdictions Metro serves establish a dedicated revenue source to cover the shortfall and that the federal government provide its fair share of funds because Metro serves a huge federal workforce.

A bill sponsored by Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.) and others from the region's delegation proposes providing Metro with as much as $1.5 billion in funding in the next 10 years if Maryland, Virginia and the District implement dedicated funding measures. Rep. Albert R. Wynn (D-Md.) also has introduced legislation that would provide Metro with independent oversight -- an important link to any new funding.

The D.C. Council expressed strong support for a measure to set aside one-half to 1 percent of its sales tax revenue for Metro if Maryland and Virginia mount similar efforts. Legislation is anticipated or pending in those states.

This region expects 1.2 million new jobs and 1.6 million more people living here by 2030. A strong and reliable Metro system is critical to managing this growth. COG and the Transportation Planning Board have spoken clearly on the need for dedicated funding for Metro. Lawmakers in the District, Maryland and Virginia know what needs to be done.

JAY FISETTE

Member, Arlington County Board

Chairman, COG Board of Directors

Arlington