Statement by Senator Jim Webb on the Importance of the Washington Metro Dedicated Funding Bill

Mr. President, I rise today in support of the Advancing America's Priorities Act (S.3297), which contains a provision that would provide much needed funding for the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA).

This provision mirrors the National Capital Transportation Amendments Act of 2007 (S.1446), which I proudly cosponsored with Senators Cardin, Mikulski, and Warner.

In short, the Metro funding provision would authorize $1.5 billion over ten years for Metro to finance capital and preventive maintenance projects for the Metrorail system.  The federal funding would share the funding burden with the states because the money would be contingent on the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia jointly matching the federal contribution towards Washington Metro's capital projects.

Appropriate funding for the Metro system is critically important to our federal workforce, millions of tourists who visit our nation's capital area, as well as the millions of people who live around Washington, D.C.  I have worked diligently with my Senate and House colleagues for the past two years to pass this legislation, and I ask my colleagues to help secure passage of this provision this week.

Metrorail and Metrobus ridership continue to grow as more than one million riders on average per weekday choose Metro as their preferred mode of transit for traveling around the National Capital Region.  As the price of gasoline has soared, more people are turning to Metro as their primary mode of transportation.  I would note that in fiscal year 2008, 215 million customers rode Metrorail.  That is 7 million more customers than in 2007.  In fact, 22 out of 25 of Metrorail top ridership days have occurred since April of this year.  And 133 million customers rode Metrobus in fiscal year 08, which is the highest yearly total ever, an increase of 1.4 million relative to 2007.  New funding authorized in this legislation would provide the necessary resources to increase bus and rail capacity and meet forecasted ridership demands, before the system and region become totally mired in congestion. 

The federal role in supporting Metro is clear, with a long track record to draw upon.  Washington Metro began building the rail system in 1969 with federal funding authorized under the National Capital Transportation Act of 1969.  On two separate occasions, Congress has authorized additional funding for Metro construction and capital improvements.  According to a 2006 Government Accountability Office report:

‘‘WMATA provides transportation to and from work for a substantial portion of the federal workforce, and federal employees’ use of WMATA’s services is encouraged by General Services Administration guidelines that instruct federal agencies to locate their facilities near mass transit stops whenever possible. WMATA also accommodated increased passenger loads and extends its operating hours during events related to the federal government’s presence in Washington, DC, such as presidential inaugurations and funerals, and celebrations and demonstrations on the National Mall.’’

In fact, during rush hour, federal employees account for over 40 percent of Metro ridership.  The Metro system was also critical to the evacuation of Washington, D.C. following the 2001 terrorist attacks.  Metro was deemed a “national security asset” in a federal security assessment conducted after 9/11.  In short, the operation of the federal government would be nearly impossible without the Metro system and the federal government’s emergency evacuation and recovery plans rely heavily on Metro.

The future of Metro and its continued success relies upon consistent support from the federal government and the regional localities it serves.  Now is the time for the federal government to commit itself to providing more long-term federal funding for the Washington Metro system.  Together, along with our jurisdictional partners, we must continue to invest in the transit system that has brought so many benefits not only to the region, but also to the federal government and the entire nation.  I urge my colleagues to support passage of this bill.