Takoma Park Council endorses DMV Moves regional transit funding plan

The Takoma Park City Council voted to endorse the DMV Moves regional transit initiative after a presentation by Tom Harrington, multimodal planning program director at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

Harrington summarized the plan's four components and said the proposal "calls for an increase of $460,000,000 per year in capital funding for Metro, growing at 3% a year," a dedicated funding stream he said would allow WMATA to modernize rail signals and invest in long-term capital needs. He told the council the plan also includes local transit support, a regional bus-priority partnership and an integration action plan covering fare and service coordination.

Council members asked for timing and bill numbers; Harrington said the Metro funding modification legislation was scheduled for a third reading in the House the next day (House Bill 386, with a related Senate bill 281). Council member Schlegel pressed for details on the New Hampshire Avenue rapid-bus planning, and Harrington noted that Montgomery County planning is reviewing a draft plan on that corridor.

The mayor said the council would vote to endorse the DMV Moves initiative as part of the evening's voting session. The measure was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; the mayor stated the resolution "moves forward."

Why it matters: DMV Moves seeks to secure new, dedicated revenue for regional transit priorities that could affect Takoma Park riders and long-range investment in WMATA and bus service. The endorsement places the city among local governments supporting the plan as it moves through state and regional deliberations.

What's next: The council approved the endorsement; Harrington and COG staff will continue coordinating with state legislators and regional partners as funding bills and implementation steps advance.