Metro announced on Monday that it will only keep lost wallets and electronic devices like phones, tablets and laptops to find their owners as part of its updated lost and found procedures.
Other items found in the transit system will be donated to charity, disposed of, destroyed, or auctioned off.
The move aims “to reduce administrative costs so the agency can continue to prioritize its core mission: providing safe and reliable transportation for the region,” according to a press release from Metro.
“While Metro was able to halt service cuts and layoffs thanks to the latest federal Covid relief funding, the federal funding will not close Metro’s entire projected budget gap for the next fiscal year,” the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) said. “The change in lost and found procedures is one of several administrative actions Metro is taking to lessen the gap, including limiting the use of contractors, deferring some capital program expenses, and shrinking its workforce by attrition.”
WMATA’s new lost and found policy is scheduled to take effect starting March 1.
The agency notes that the current procedures will apply to any item reported lost between now and the end of February and held for 30 days. Metro employees will work to return the items to riders.
In addition, in-person pickup for lost items, which has been suspended by Metro during the pandemic, will be restored on March 1. Individuals will be able to pick up their lost items at the agency’s lost and found office at 6500 Belcrest Rd., Hyattsville, Maryland. Receiving the lost item via mail is also an option if the customer covers the cost.
To report items lost within the Metrorail or Metrobus system, customers can use WMATA’s online Lost & Found form or contact its Lost & Found office at 202-962-1195 from Monday through Friday (9 am – 5 pm), except federal holidays.
WMATA is among the District agencies whose budgets have been significantly impacted by the ongoing pandemic.
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