The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) board of directors finance and capital committee approved a $4.7 billion operating and capital budget for fiscal year 2022 that maintains current service levels and enhancements, while continuing to accelerate WMATA’s capital investment in safety-critical repairs and service reliability improvements. The full board is expected to approve the committee’s recommendation on April 22.

Under the approved $2.07 billion operating budget, the agency will maintain service at 80% to 85% of pre-pandemic levels to support expected ridership growth as the region resumes events, classroom learning, and businesses reopen with increased capacity.

The operating budget is supported by $722.9 million in federal relief funding, including $193.4 million through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), enacted last month. The funding helped WMATA close a budget gap that eliminated the need for drastic bus and rail service cuts, station closures, and employee layoffs. 

The operating budget also supports planned changes to bus and rail services, including funding for the start of service for Silver Line Phase II and the new Potomac Yard Station. Five Metrobus routes will also be transferred to Fairfax Connector to operate beginning in July.

During FY2022, WMATA will continue an aggressive rebuilding campaign as part of its $2.6 billion capital budget that invests in safety and service improvements, critical repairs to platforms and structures, and system state of good repair needs.