The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) boards jointly endorsed recommendations from the DMVMoves Task Force and called on regional leaders to advance funding solutions to support the agency’s long-term modernization and strengthen coordination among the region’s 14 transit operators, including metro, MARC, VRE, and local bus systems.
The recommendations outline a vision for a modern, seamless, and world-class transit network that supports economic growth, efficiency, and safe, reliable access across the National Capital Region.
A key proposal includes $460 million in new annual capital funding for the agency, beginning in Fiscal Year 2028. This investment would allow WMATA to modernize its bus and rail systems.
“This is a pivotal moment for our region,” said General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke, “A reliable and well-funded metro system is essential to our region’s economic vitality. These recommendations provide a roadmap to modernize our transportation network, deliver safer and more reliable service, and ensure [WMATA] continues to connect people to opportunities for generations to come.”
Task Force Recommendations to Strengthen and Modernize
In addition to the new capital funding, the task force recommended a set of actions to make transit more efficient and easier to use across the regional WMATA metro, commuter rail, and local bus systems.
These actions include implementing bus-priority projects along high-priority corridors to improve bus speeds and reliability for riders and reduce long-term operating costs, integrating fare policies, such as consistent discounts for low-income riders and free fares for children, and improving customer information, such as standard bus stop designs.
“The DMVMoves plan is a major milestone for our region, but it isn’t an endpoint,” said COG Executive Director Clark Mercer. “Our region has produced some great plans in the past whose goals were not fully achieved. This time, COG, [WMATA], and our partners have outlined the path forward to ensure these recommendations are implemented and that we hold ourselves accountable to delivering our shared vision for world-class transit.”
In endorsing the investment plan, the DMVMoves Task Force recommended that the funding should be unencumbered and grow by 3% annually to ensure the system’s long-term financial stability. If secured, the funding would ensure:
Ongoing repair, maintenance, and modernization of assets, systems, and technologies.
Deployment of rail modernization — modern signaling, compatible fleet upgrades, and selective platform screen doors — to improve safety, reliability, capacity, and efficiency.
The creation of a sustainable bond program to support long-term investments, maintain the system’s state of good repair, and strengthen overall financial stability.
“The DMVMoves Task Force has shown what’s possible when our region comes together to plan for the future,” said Rodney Lusk, COG Board of Directors chair and a Fairfax County supervisor. “Transit propels our region’s economy forward, and this collaboration is a clear call to action. We must move forward together to secure a sustainable future for everyone who depends on the metro and our entire transit network.”
“Our region’s prosperity depends on having a safe, resilient, and reliable metro — the world-class transit system our communities deserve,” said Board Chair Valerie Santos. “Together, the COG and metro boards support the vision articulated in the DMVMoves plan and urge our regional and state partners to work together to secure the sustainable, dedicated funding necessary to make that vision a reality for our Washington metropolitan area.”
Following the recent joint endorsement, regional advocacy will begin to seek the enactment of funding legislation by the DC Council and the Maryland and Virginia state legislatures.
