COG, Metro launch historic initiative, DMVMoves, to create a unified vision and sustainable funding model for public transit in the region

During a joint Boards of Directors meeting hosted by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro), officials from the two organizations announced a historic regional planning initiative called DMVMoves, Moving our region forward, together,which will set the vision for comprehensive regional transit planning in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

DMVMoveswill be guided by a 20-person task force, including a federal government representative and the following leaders appointed by COG and Metro:

• Charles Allen, COG Board Chair and District of Columbia Councilmember (DMVMoves Task Force Co-Chair)
• Paul Smedberg, Metro Board Chair and Principal Director – VA (DMVMoves Task Force Co-Chair)
• Angela Alsobrooks, Prince George’s County Executive
• Malcolm Augustine, Maryland Senate President Pro Tem
• Reuben Collins, Charles County Commissioner President
• Kevin Donahue, District of Columbia City Administrator
• Christina Henderson, District of Columbia Councilmember
• Sharon Kershbaum, District of Columbia Department of Transportation Director
• Sarah Kline, Metro Principal Director – U.S. DOT
• Marc Korman, Maryland Delegate
• Dr. Tracy Hadden Loh, Metro Principal Director - DC
• Joe McAndrew, Metro Principal Director - MD
• Jeff McKay, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman
• Phil Mendelson, District of Columbia Council Chairman
• Phyllis Randall, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chair
• Michael Sargent, Virginia Deputy Secretary of Transportation
• Mark Sickles, Virginia Delegate
• Kate Stewart, Montgomery County Council Vice President
• Scott Surovell, Virginia Senate Majority Leader

The DMVMovesTask Force will be supported by two nationally recognized transportation leaders, Nuria Fernandez, who served as the administrator of the Federal Transit Administration and Nick Donohue, Principal at Capitol Transportation Consulting who previously oversaw transformative projects for the Commonwealth of Virginia, including Long Bridge expansion plans. In addition, two advisory groups will inform the task force’s work: the Government Partners Advisory Group and the Community Partners Advisory Group representing area jurisdictions, transit service providers and agencies, and business, labor, and community organizations. The task force, which will hold its inaugural meeting in June, will focus on securing consensus on and commitment to implementing the following:

• Transit plans and service standards for regional and local systems;
• Opportunities for enhanced efficiency through coordination and sharing of resources;
• Sources of revenue for dedicated capital and operations funding for regional and local transit; and enhanced governance of the entire transit network

"In bringing these two boards together, we are creating a historic and crucial opportunity for leaders across the DC region to develop a shared vision and path forward," said COG Board Chair and District of Columbia Councilmember Charles Allen. "It’s not just for how the more than a dozen rail and bus systems can align transit needs across the District, Maryland, and Virginia, but also how we can collectively meet the challenge of sustainable and dedicated funding. WMATA plays a central role in the region’s growth and success, and our new effort will bring together our key decision makers to ensure great transit makes the metropolitan Washington area the premiere region for people to live and work, and for businesses large and small to set up shop."

"Public transportation in the DMV benefits every segment of our region - residents, visitors, employees, employers, students, and more," said Metro Board Chair Paul C. Smedberg. "We owe our communities the continued economic opportunity and environmental sustainability that comes from robust transit options. DMVMovesis our region’s roadmap to unifying, optimizing, and delivering the world-class transit network people expect and deserve. The future is now, and we must commit to investment, innovation, and a plan."

"This new initiative will shape the plan for the region’s larger transportation, economic and sustainability goals," said Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke. "We are on the precipice of a huge opportunity to fully align our regional vision by working together to address these very important priorities. I cannot think of a better way to serve our customers and residents for generations to come."

"There’s real energy and consensus across the region that we must work together and implement long-term transit solutions," said COG Executive Director Clark Mercer. "Now is the time to have the big picture conversation about our transit network’s future, bring together all the key stakeholders from the business, labor, civic, and government sectors, and take meaningful action that provides the National Capital Region with a world-class transit system."

For more information and materials from the meeting, please visitthe meeting page.

More from business, civic, and government leaders on the new regional transit initiative:

"We need a best-in-class, fully integrated regional public transit system to remain globally competitive and meet the current and future needs of our residents and communities. We are excited to see regional stakeholders joining in a serious effort to develop and implement the strategies needed to meet these aspirations. This is an historic opportunity to ensure the long-term viability of our critical transit assets and it’s up to us to get the job done." - Jack McDougle, President & CEO, Greater Washington Board of Trade

"The most economically vibrant and competitive regions are those with seamless, connected transportation networks that provide residents and employees robust access to jobs, opportunities, and upward mobility. We look forward to partnering with regional leaders at COG and WMATA to maximize this opportunity for our region to rethink its transit system and create a more sustainable, equitable and innovative mobility network that enhances quality of life and matches our regional economic ambitions." - Kathy Hollinger, CEO, Greater Washington Partnership

"The vitality of our communities hinges on the strength of our transit systems. I am thrilled to join COG and WMATA’s new regional transit task force, recognizing the pivotal role of collaboration in shaping the future of public transit in our region. By uniting our efforts, we can craft a vision that not only addresses immediate challenges but also lays the foundation for sustainable, equitable, and efficient transit solutions for generations to come." - Angela Alsobrooks, County Executive, Prince George's County

"In Northern Virginia, transit generates over $1.5 billion in revenue for the Commonwealth. It is critical regional leaders work together to identify a sustainable path forward for our entire transit network, which is critical to our region’s economy and our quality of life." - Jeffrey C. McKay, Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

"This effort represents a major step forward for regional collaboration. For years, the TPB has drawn attention to how central transit is to meeting our broader transportation and environmental goals, and I am excited to join area leaders taking a holistic approach and committing to identifying the long-term strategies to shape a truly world-class network that reliably and safely serves residents, visitors and businesses." - Christina Henderson, Councilmember, District of Columbia; Chair, National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board at COG

"Transit is a right and working class people, be they transit workers or the riding public, deserve a network that is extensive, just, and reliable. We need our representatives to treat it as such, finally giving it robust dedicated funding, enacting sensible planning, and keeping working people at the forefront. Local 689 members are proud to run world-class service that is the envy of the nation. Our leaders must not treat it as a mid-tier priority." - Raymond Jackson, President and Business Agent, ATU 689

"The Coalition for Smarter Growth welcomes the opportunity to contribute to creating a world-class transit vision for the Metropolitan Washington region. COG and local elected officials have long committed to a vision of a network of transit-oriented communities as the most sustainable and equitable way for our region to grow. We must prioritize an interconnected, frequent, and accessible transit network to support this vision. World-class transit will not only shape sustainable development, it will reduce household transportation costs, help our road network function, increase access to jobs and opportunity, enhance our economic competitiveness, and reduce our climate pollution." - Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director, Coalition for Smarter Growth

CONTACT:
Steve Kania,skania@mwcog.org
Whitney Nichels,wnichels@wmata.com

About DMVMoves

DMVMovesis a joint initiative of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to create a unified vision and sustainable funding model for the region’s transit network.

The Council of Governments is an independent, nonprofit association where area leaders address regional issues affecting the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) was created by an interstate compact in 1967 to plan, develop, build, finance, and operate a balanced regional transportation system in the national capital area. Metro began building its rail system in 1969, acquired four regional bus systems in 1973, and began operating the first phase of Metrorail in 1976. Today, Metrorail serves 98 stations and has 128 miles of track. Metrobus serves the nation's capital 24 hours a day, seven days a week with 1,600 buses. Metrorail and Metrobus serve a population of approximately 4 million within a 1,500-square mile jurisdiction. Metro began its paratransit service, MetroAccess, in 1994; it provides about 2.3 million trips per year.