WMATA

Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and the United States Congress jointly established an interstate compact in 1967, creating the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA or Metro) to plan, develop, build, finance, and operate a mass transit system in the national capital region. With almost 100 million riders in Virginia annually pre-pandemic, WMATA is the largest transit provider in the Commonwealth.

DRPT has funding and oversight responsibilities over WMATA. In 2018, the General Assembly passed legislation to create a dedicated revenue stream of $154.5 million annually for the WMATA Capital Fund. This dedicated funding is Virginia’s proportional regional share of $500 million in annual additional capital required for critical state of good repair needs.

That same year, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) adopted policies to increase reporting requirements and implement financial penalties should WMATA not meet certain requirements. In 2023, the General Assembly passed legislation providing DRPT with additional oversight requirements of WMATA. DRPT reports to the CTB on WMATA’s compliance with statutory requirements and CTB policy annually.

In addition to this funding, the CTB allocates 46.5 percent of the Commonwealth Mass Transit Fund to the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission to assist with WMATA operating and capital assistance. Another $50 million is allocated from the Commonwealth Mass Transit Fund to match a $150 million federal contribution.

DRPT Oversees WMATA’s Compliance with the Following:

Operating Assistance Cap
The total Virginia operating subsidy in the approved WMATA budget cannot increase by more than 3 percent from the operating subsidy in the prior year’s budget, subject to certain legislative exclusions. The 2024 General Assembly adopted language in the appropriations act, waiving this requirement for Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026.

Capital Improvement Plan
The WMATA Board must adopt a detailed capital improvement plan covering the current fiscal year and the next five fiscal years and hold a public hearing in a locality embraced by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC), which provides representation for the Virginia local jurisdictions in the WMATA service area and appoints the Virginia WMATA Board members.

Strategic Plan
WMATA is required to adopt a strategic plan every three years and hold a public hearing in a locality embraced by NVTC. The plan must review routes, operating efficiency, overlapping services, and unserved areas.

Board Governance
Alternates cannot participate at a WMATA Board meeting when a director is present. WMATA must approve bylaws prohibiting the participation of alternates.

Budget Submission and Annual CTB Update
WMATA must submit a detailed annual operating budget, proposed capital expenditures, and financial statements on defined-benefit pension plans annually to the CTB by April 1. Additionally, the Virginia principal members of the WMATA Board and the WMATA General Manager must annually address the Board.

Steps:

• WMATA provides required documentation/certifications to DRPT to comply with the provisions outlined above by June 30
• The Office of the Attorney General independently reviews for compliance with statutory requirements
• DRPT reviews for compliance with CTB policy requirements (non-statutory)
• DRPT presents recommendations for any enforcement actions to the CTB
• CTB adopts a resolution stating WMATA is in compliance or directs DRPT to withhold funding until WMATA complies with statutory requirements and/or CTB policy