WMATA Approves $4.957 Billion Budget to Enhance Transit Services

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has approved a $4.957 billion budget, aiming to enhance services without increasing fares across the transportation system. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

This budget ensures continued support for safe, frequent, and reliable services, reflecting WMATA’s commitment to rider satisfaction and operational excellence.

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“We’ve achieved 48 consecutive months of ridership growth,” stated CEO Randy Clarke, highlighting the collaborative efforts with Maryland, Virginia, and D.C.

He expressed gratitude to the Board of Directors and jurisdictional partners for their unwavering support and leadership.

WMATA Implements Service Enhancements Beginning June 2025

Starting Sunday, June 22, WMATA will introduce extended weekend rail hours, opening at 6 a.m. and closing at 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

The Silver Line will operate two service patterns: half of the trains will run between Ashburn and Downtown Largo, and the other half between Ashburn and New Carrollton.

During peak weekday hours, additional Silver Line trains will operate from Wiehle-Reston East to New Carrollton in the morning and from Stadium-Armory to Wiehle-Reston East in the afternoon.

The Red Line will see increased frequency, with trains arriving every 4 minutes during the busiest portions of weekday rush hours.

In December, the Yellow Line will extend service: half of the trains will operate between Huntington and Greenbelt, while the other half will run between Huntington and Mt. Vernon Square.

WMATA Launches Better Bus Network to Improve Efficiency

On Sunday, June 29, WMATA will launch the Better Bus Network, the first comprehensive redesign of its bus system in 50 years.

The redesign introduces 11 new bus routes with service every 12 to 20 minutes and renames all existing routes for clarity.

To streamline operations, approximately 500 underused bus stops across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia will be eliminated, representing about 5% of total stops.

WMATA stated that these changes aim to make bus service faster and more direct, improving overall efficiency.

Future plans include implementing zero-emission buses, enhancing communication systems, and increasing dedicated transit lanes.

The Trip Planner will be updated in the spring to reflect new routes and names, assisting riders in planning their journeys effectively.

Source: www.dcnewsnow.com

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