The chief executives of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) applaud members of the Virginia and Maryland General Assemblies for advancing measures to implement funding recommendations of the DMVMoves Task Force. Earlier today, the Maryland House of Delegates passed the Metro Funding Modification Act of 2026, proposing an additional $150 million in capital funding annually for the transit system.
Today’s action in Annapolis follows the recent release of proposed budgets in the Virginia Senate and House. The Senate proposal includes the Virginia share of DMVMoves capital funding, some limited statewide transit operating funding, as well as legislative language requiring efficiency reporting by Metro, while the House proposal includes additional operating funding for Metro. The Virginia House and Senate have appointed conferees to negotiate a final budget by the last day of session, March 14.
DMVMoves recommended Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia together contribute $460 million per year in new capital funding, which would be indexed to grow at 3 percent annually to address inflation and support a revolving bond program.
“We are very encouraged by action in Annapolis and Richmond and appreciate regional leaders taking these key steps, which follows unanimous endorsements for our DMVMoves Plan by cities and counties across the region,” said COG Executive Director Clark Mercer. “This funding will help advance our transformative vision for transit and ensure the world-class network that is so central to our region’s quality of life and economic competitiveness.”
“The support of legislative leaders in each jurisdiction is encouraging and appreciated as we continue our journey delivering the world class transit our region deserves,” said Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke. “Dedicated funding for Metro would be transformative, an achievement that has not been realized in our 50-year history. This funding will fundamentally change Metro and the region’s trajectory.”
The DMVMoves initiative brought leaders in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia together in May 2024 to develop a unified vision for the region, delivering a more efficient, reliable, and seamless experience for transit users across all three jurisdictions. After concluding 18-months of work groups and meetings, a historic vote in November by the WMATA and COG boards endorsed future dedicated funding for Metro and recommendations to better integrate the region’s 14 transit operators, including Metro, MARC, VRE, and local bus systems.
Area jurisdictions Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and cities of College Park, Greenbelt, Rockville, and Takoma Park in Maryland, and Arlington, Fairfax, and Loudoun counties and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, and Manassas in Virginia have endorsed DMVMoves. All jurisdictions are now working through their governing boards and legislative sessions to identify how to advance the DMVMoves recommended capital funding investment.