Senate Spending Bill Includes $150 Million for Metro

The Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday included $150 million for Metro in a spending bill for the next fiscal year.

It was another obstacle cleared in an effort by area lawmakers to secure dedicated funding for the D.C. mass transit system.

Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), who pushed the transportation appropriations subcommittee to approve the money Wednesday, worked with other area lawmakers to secure funds not included in President Obama's first budget.

The House approved a spending bill last week that includes the money. On Tuesday night, by unanimous consent, the Senate approved a change in Metro's compact that allows the agency to receive federal funds.

The full Senate -- and President Obama -- also still need to approve the allocation.

"It's a heavy lift considering it wasn't in the president's budget," said Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md.).

Metro is the only major transit agency in the United States without a source of dedicated funding, such as a portion of a sales or gas tax. It is the country's second-busiest rail system, and its capital needs have grown tremendously as its infrastructure has aged. More than a fourth of the rail car fleet is more than 30 years old and needs to be replaced.

Last year, Congress authorized spending as much as $1.5 billion over 10 years for capital improvements and preventive maintenance. The legislation required Virginia, Maryland and the District to match the federal money from dedicated funding sources, putting $3 billion within reach. The three jurisdictions took the necessary legislative action this year to match the money.