Loudoun commuters could see higher Metrorail fares next July

Metro General Manager Randy Clarke will present the proposed budget replete with changes to fare structure and rail service this Thursday to the Finance and Capital Committee of the Metro Board of Directors that Loudoun Supervisor Matthew Letourneau, R-Dulles, chairs. 

Released Tuesday, the budget proposal seeks to set a weekday base fare of $2, which would increase by 40 cents for every mile traveled across the system but would max out at $6.50. The transit authority plans to maintain its weekend and late night fares at $2, though. 

According to Metro, the fee structure it is proposing will simplify the fare structure that already is in place that charges high fares during rush periods. The proposal seeks to consolidate weekday and off-peak fares, standardizes mileage rate and matches bus and rail fare.  

Metro is also seeking to shorten wait time to three minutes between trains in its core areas and between 10 to 12 minutes at its outlying stops, such as the newly added Silver Line stations — in Ashburn, Loudoun Gateway and Washington Dulles International Airport — in Loudoun that began operating Nov. 15.

At these outlying stops, the proposal calls for core wait times of 10 minutes during peak hours, 12 minutes during off-peak times, and at least 15 minutes for late night trains. 

Metro expects its passenger revenue in the coming fiscal year to $406 million, marking a 35% increase over the current fiscal year budget. Its non-passenger revenue derived from advertising, parking and infrastructure and joint development also is expected to grow to $17.1 million.  

It said Metro will continue to rely on federal assistance of roughly $561 million under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to support its operations, but also expects to tap into the maintenance pool of funds provided under the Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act for up to  $139.1 million to fill up that $185 million hole in revenues for the coming fiscal year. 

However, Letourneau noted that federal assistance will be ending toward the end of fiscal year 2024, creating a budget deficit in future years. "The Metro board and the affected jurisdictions, meaning Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, will have to work on a strategy to address metro's long-term funding needs," he added.

Loudoun contributed $13 million to the Commonwealth's share of $313 million to Metro for the current year. In fiscal year 2024, Loudoun's contribution will increase nearly 19% to $15.4 million with a corresponding increase in the state's share to $322.4 million. The increase in the county's share reflects in part the growth in population. 

The transit agency will hold public hearings on the proposed budget starting in January, with the board of directors approving the budget in mid-April. The operating budget would take effect on July 1, which marks the start of the transit agency's fiscal year. 

At the same time, Metro is seeking comment for the next two weeks from its riders and stakeholders on its strategic plan, entitled #YourMetro, The Way Forward. The plan, which is available at wmata.com/strategic plan, will provide a long-term strategy and direct its day-to-day decision making over the next five plus years. Metro also plans to hold hybrid community meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 13 to receive public input.