Additional funds to aid WMATA’s strategic plan

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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Larry Levine

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has received an increased capital commitment of $75 million by Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray, to reduce crowding and add system capacity.

 

“Thanks to the strong leadership of Mayor Gray and Governors O’Malley and McAuliffe, we can continue our rebuilding efforts and lay the foundation for all eight-car trains, with power upgrades, Union Station and Gallery Place station expansion designs and buses for priority corridors,” said WMATA General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles.

The strategic plan addresses growing crowding and outlines near-term goals for 2025 along with the steps that the agency must take to prepare for coming regional population and economic growth.

The plan aims to ensure that WMATA never returns to a time when the system’s tracks, escalators, trains and buses are not maintained to today’s safety and reliability standards. For riders, this will mean more trains, reduced crowding, faster buses, brighter, safer, easier-to-navigate stations and improved customer information systems.

“Today’s commitment of $75 million is a critical installment that bridges Metro to the next phase of our capital program,” said Sarles.

 

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