WASHINGTON — Despite concerns over Metro’s funding formula, D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson promised Thursday to back new dedicated funding for the transit agency.
On Thursday, Mendelson tweeted that there will not be a fight between Maryland, D.C. and Virginia over an additional $500 million per year in Metro capital funding. The current formula required D.C. to pay significantly more than Maryland or Virginia because of a number of factors including Metro stations, ridership and miles of track.
D.C. would pay $178 million more per year under the current formula.
Over 10yrs (not including inflation) DC will be paying $245m more than what VA is paying; $115m more than MD. This is money that could go to critical DC services. There is nothing wrong with fighting for a better deal for taxpayers, but there will not be a fight in the Council
— Phil Mendelson (@ChmnMendelson) March 15, 2018
The federal government contributes other funds but not under a formula.
“I would prefer to have D.C. and the federal government step up and we all share equally in the load,” Hogan said.
Hogan’s own funding proposal for the state doesn’t follow the Metro funding formula. Maryland’s House of Delegates passed a plan that would provide $150 million more per year in new funding.
Virginia’s General Assembly approved $154 million per year in new funding for Metro also contingent on the other jurisdictions paying their share.
