Metro board saves 3A and 29W bus routes, but more funding cuts likely due to coronavirus pandemic

The 3A bus on Annandale Road.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s budget, approved by the board on April 2, would not eliminate the 3A and 29W Metrobus routes that traverse the Annandale area.

However, the budget for the year beginning July 1 will be re-evaluated as more details emerge in the coming weeks on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the transit system’s fiscal status.

The proposed elimination of the 3A and 29W bus routes, along with dozens of other routes throughout the region, was strongly opposed by the bus-riding public. In the end, the budget eliminates only eight routes, although there will be service changes affecting many others.

According to WTOP, what the WMATA board approved “amounts to a ceremonial budget approval that allows federal grant applications to move forward, buying the Metro board, Metro staff, and the local governments that foot the bill more time to figure out what should actually happen this summer given major coronavirus pressures in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia regions.”

“Right now, it’s impossible to say what may or may not be cut or not cut,” Metro board chair Paul Smedberg said.

Metro is losing $2.5 million each weekday and has already lost $67 million due to COVID-19. WMATA has closed 19 rail stations indefinitely, significantly reduced train frequencies and hours of operation, and slashed bus service. Metro spent $17 million for gloves, cleaning supplies, and other items related to coronavirus.

Related story: Keep the 3A and 29W Metrobus routes, residents tell WMATA

The approved budget would raise Metrorail fares by 10 cents. It would also reinstate Metrorail service to midnight Monday through Thursday and until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, establish a flat $2 weekend fare, and cut the bus-to-rail transfer by 50 cents, But it’s too early to say whether that will actually happen when the fiscal year starts on July 1. The board is expected to revisit the budget in June and continue making changes as needed.

Cash-strapped states and local jurisdictions will have less money to spend on transit. The coronoavirus relief package passed by Congress might offset some of those gaps, although it’s not clear how that money will be allocated.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is also in the process of developing a 2021 budget and plans to make changes in the advertised budget presented in February by County Executive Bryan Hill due to revenue losses and increased costs resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.


Related story: Fairfax County expects huge revenue losses due to coronavirus

“We hope to continue to support Metro as much as possible because it is a necessary service for the region,” said board chair Jeffrey McKay. “It’s difficult to say what that commitment looks like at this moment until the county executive provides an updated budget next week. Fairfax County like many others are seeing budget shortfalls due to losses in revenue streams like sales tax and property tax.”

“Unfortunately, this uncertainty will continue as we learn about the true economic consequences COVID-19 has had,” McKay said. “We are working to be flexible and alert as the changes come.”