WMATA Adopts $4.8B FY27 Budget to Fund $913M Red Line Automation

WMATA FY27 budget sets out a $4.8 billion operating and capital plan for fiscal 2027. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority board adopted it. The budget keeps fares unchanged and includes service improvements for bus and rail. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

According to WMATA, bus service improvements are due to begin in June. In addition, further bus and rail service changes are planned for December.

“The budget that we adopted balances today’s service needs with the budget realities of our local funding partners,” said WMATA Chair Valerie Santos.

Rail service improvements and Red Line plans

The rail service changes focus on frequency. WMATA plans more weekday off-peak service on the Orange, Silver and Blue lines. Also, the authority intends to add late-night frequency on the Red Line.

The capital budget includes money for the first steps of Red Line modernization. The work covers WMATA’s original line, which opened more than 50 years ago. Under a $913 million plan, WMATA plans to fully automate the Red Line.

“[We have] led the country in ridership growth in recent years, and this additional service will help meet the growing demand on bus and rail,” said WMATA General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke. “We remain committed to running safe, frequent and reliable service for our customers and planning for future rail modernization that would make Metro Rail even safer and more efficient.”

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