Metro is likely to scrap plans of service cuts and layoffs proposed in its fiscal year 2022 budget thanks to the passage of Wednesday’s federal COVID-19 relief bill by Congress.
“Congress has once again stepped up to address the needs of Metro and the regional transit systems that will be critical to our region’s economic recovery,” Paul Smedberg, Chair of Metro Board of Directors, said in a statement.
“While it will take more time to work out all the details, including Metro’s exact share of this funding, the $1.4 billion provided by the American Recovery Plan for our region’s transit agencies will allow us to avert the painful service reductions and layoffs that were on the table,” he added.
American Recovery Plan helps Metro avert service cuts and layoffs https://t.co/UeiaVCLQAK #wmata pic.twitter.com/lORw1n256E
— Metro (@wmata) March 10, 2021
Metro’s Board of Directors has received feedback from over 18,000 residents on the transit agency’s next budget so far, and the public comment period, including virtual public hearings, will continue until March 16, according to Smedberg.
A revised budget for the fiscal year 2022 will be voted in April with the consideration of the newly approved federal relief bill.
“This relief is only possible thanks to the leadership of our entire congressional delegation, who fought tirelessly for transit workers and riders,” Metro CEO Paul Wiedefeld was quoted as saying in the agency’s statement.
Following the approval of the COVID-19 relief bill, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announced that it is expanding Metrobus service on weekdays and restoring additional routes on weekends beginning Sunday, March 14.
President Joe Biden officially signed the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package on Thursday.