Metro General Manager Proposes Revised FY2027 Budget Reflecting Updated Mid-Year Financials and Regional Economic Growth Trends

Metro’s General Manager and Chief Executive Officer today proposed revisions to the FY2027 Budget originally presented during the WMATA Board of Directors meeting in December 2025. 

The revised budget proposal reflects Metro’s continued commitment to financial management and efficiency by managing jurisdictional subsidy growth at 1.8 percent, which is below the cost of inflation and the 3 percent regional target. 

Metro is leading the nation in ridership growth and is focused on efforts to bolster fare collection by expanding programs like Tap. Ride. Go., which is available on Metro Rail and Metro Bus, and is currently being implemented at more than 40 Metro parking facilities throughout the system. Tap. Ride. Go. along with other fare product offerings support continuous improvement efforts to remove friction for customers and promote transit accessibility for the region.  

Metro’s Transit Police Department (MTPD) is an important part of Metro’s overall strategy to grow ridership. With the lowest crime rate in history and growing revenue collection efforts systemwide, safety and security continue to drive confidence in America’s Metro System and the region’s ridership outlook. 

Metro continues to identify management levers to effectively budget and contain costs. Eliminating non-operating positions helps reduce overhead personnel expenses. Metro also collaborates with other government entities within the region on energy contracts to leverage buying power and maximize fuel hedging mechanisms to reduce budget uncertainty as markets fluctuate.  

The proposed revisions reflect the momentum Metro has seen over the last few years, allowing Metro to tightly manage budgets and cost efficiency efforts that allow continued service improvements where revenue, ridership, and impact needs are reflected most throughout the region.  

The revised proposal asks for the Board’s consideration of the following adjusted service improvements and fees.

Metro Bus

The original FY27 proposed bus service improvements (Nine routes in DC and two in Virginia) are slated to start on or near July 1, 2026.  

To further support the Better Bus visionary transit network, the following service improvements are being considered for December 2026, pending Board adoption: 

• Service improvements on 13 routes in the District of Columbia adding more frequent service and in some cases midday, weekend, or 24-hour service.  
• Due to Maryland budget considerations, previously proposed service adjustments on six routes in Maryland have been deferred. 

Metro Rail

More Frequent Weekday Service: Orange, Silver, and Blue Line trains every 10 minutes all day before 9:30 p.m. – an improvement from the current 12-minute headway – to support off peak demand and encourage ridership growth with more frequent all-day service in December 2026. 

More Frequent Late-Night Service: Red Line trains every 7 to 9 minutes – improved from every 10 minutes – during late night period from 9:30 p.m. until closing, seven days a week, to boost capacity in both directions for evening travel in December 2026. 

Paratransit

$3 per-trip administrative fee for Abilities Ride trips starting July 1, 2026. 

The Board of Directors will consider the General Manager’s recommendations and is anticipated to adopt the final FY2027 Budget on April 23, 2026. 

To review the full, revised budget proposal, click here.