FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 2, 2018
Contact:
Clare Flannery
MDB Communications
cflannery@mdbcomm.com
914-659-7805
Annapolis, MD – Following today’s action to advance the Maryland Metro Funding Act (HB 372) from the House Appropriations Committee, the MetroNow Coalition issued the following statement:
“MetroNow commends Appropriations Committee Chair McIntosh, Vice-Chair Gaines, Delegate Korman, and members of the House Appropriations Committee for displaying a firm commitment to meeting Metro’s long-term dedicated funding and reform needs by advancing the Maryland Metro Funding Act. Maryland leaders clearly understand how vital Metro is to the economy and future prosperity of the State.
The Maryland Metro Funding Act was amended to provide $150 million in new, long-term, bondable, dedicated funding. The bill was also amended to hold WMATA accountable to maintain sound governance and deliver a safe and reliable transit service.
The MetroNow coalition remains in strong support of meeting the minimum regional commitment of $500 million per year in new long-term, dedicated, and bondable funding for WMATA allocated under the existing formula, with $167 million from Maryland, $154 million from Virginia, and $178 million from the District of Columbia. This amount is the minimum needed to avoid further deterioration of service, to replace all aging components, begin addressing leaking Red Line tunnels, and restore the system to frequent and reliable service. It also places the region in position to consider future service expansion including to National Harbor.
MetroNow looks forward to working with leaders in the Maryland General Assembly and Governor Hogan, as well as leaders in Virginia and Washington D.C., to ensure that the minimum regional commitment is made this year. HB 372 is a laudable step in the right direction, and we are confident that the full commitment will be made by all jurisdictions.”
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About the MetroNow Coalition
The MetroNow Coalition is a group of regional leaders from organizations representing businesses and non-profit advocates who have come to together to ensure that action is taken to put Metro—a vital component of Greater Washington’s transportation infrastructure—on a safe, smart and sustainable path forward in 2018 and beyond. We are dedicated to securing comprehensive improvement of Metro’s governance, funding and operational structures in 2018. Visit www.MetroNow.com for more information.