Lawmakers hear push for steady funding of WMATA and MTA; advocates press to fund 'Be More Bus'

State transportation officials and transit leaders told the Education, Business and Administration Subcommittee on Feb. 19 that the region is poised for further ridership growth but needs stable, indexed capital funding to sustain gains.

Kelly Norton of the Department of Legislative Services summarized the MDOT/WMATA analysis: WMATA’s FY27 operating support from Maryland is large and the agency’s six‑year capital plan includes $2.1 billion in capital projects in FY27; county and jurisdictional contributions and fare recovery are key parts of the funding mix. Norton asked WMATA to explain discrepancies in MFR submissions and to clarify the presentation of FY26 gross versus net figures.

Randy Clark, WMATA general manager and CEO, emphasized operational improvements: "We had about 270 million trips on the system" in the past year, introduced contactless payments, and reported improved on‑time performance and a lower crime rate in 2025. Clark described joint‑development housing projects near Grosvenor and New Carrollton and pushed the DMV Moves task force package, which calls for an additional $460 million in regional capital starting in FY29; Maryland’s proposed share is roughly $152 million with a 3% annual growth assumption.

Senators pressed WMATA about the implications of a fare‑free bus policy. Clark noted that fares are a substantial revenue source (roughly $500 million annually, about 20–25% of operating revenue, predominantly rail), and that removing fares would create a revenue gap and potential security implications that would need separate funding.

The Maryland Transit Administration discussion (Samuel Quist, DLS) and MTA leadership outlined MTA priorities: FY27 operating $1.4 billion and FY27 capital approaching $965.5 million with large line items for the Purple Line (construction >87% complete, opening projected Jan. 2028), the light‑rail modernization program ($1.4 billion) and Red Line preliminary work (NEPA paused, DLS requested a report on next steps). DLS recommended committee narrative to continue bimonthly Purple Line updates and requested a Red Line timeline and funding plan.

The apprenticeship program drew focused questions: MTA has a three‑year bus‑mechanic apprenticeship with 10 apprentices and asked for funding for 5 additional "pins" to start another cohort; DLS recommended deleting funding for the 5 new positions and reclassifying existing vacant positions instead. Apprentice Anita Bush described her path from operator to apprentice and urged continued support for the program.

Transit unions, environmental groups and regional advocates testified that the current consolidated transportation program does not sufficiently fund MTA’s Be More Bus proposal. Testimony from ATU, Transit Choices, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and local advocacy groups emphasized unmet demand, a shortage of fleet and garage capacity, and the need for a fifth bus division to achieve fast, frequent and reliable bus service; speakers urged the committee to program capital and operating resources to accelerate implementation.

No formal votes were taken. DLS and agency staff were asked to provide the requested Red Line details, Purple Line updates and a clearer explanation of proposed position changes in the apprenticeship program.