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Dealing with an Unexpected Shortfall in DC, MD, VA; FTA Ruling Affects Three Jurisdictions
FTA has begun withholding 5 percent of FY 2017 public transit formula funds to Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia to persuade the state and city governments to pass legislation that will establish a new State Safety Oversight Program (SSOP) for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Metrorail system.
The funds will be withheld until the jurisdictions pass identical legislation and meet related requirements so FTA can certify a new SSOP for WMATA Metrorail.
“By law, states have the primary responsibility for overseeing the safe operation of their rail transit systems, not only for riders but for transit operators and workers,” said FTA Executive Director Matthew Welbes. “FTA has been providing oversight for WMATA Metrorail since October 2015, but the role is temporary. We will continue to direct safety oversight of Metrorail only until the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia step up and establish an FTA-certified State Safety Oversight Program.”
However, Metrorail isn’t the only public transit system to be affected.
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), which serves six independent cities in southeastern Virginia, is “caught in the middle of a situation we didn’t precipitate and we have no control over,” said Brandon Singleton, HRT chief financial officer.
FTA’s action has left HRT short about $600,000 in federal funds, Singleton said, and the agency does not have a dedicated funding source or an operating or capital reserve. “Every dollar that comes into HRT is accounted for, not set aside for any future use,” he said.
Singleton said he understands why FTA is taking this action related to the state and city governments regarding Metrorail, but the issue for HRT is how to minimize the impact of the shortfall on a heavily transit-dependent population. He cited a recent report showing that three-quarters of the agency’s riders depend on the service.
“We’re trying not to affect the core services, so we look at other areas,” he said. “We may have to adjust the cleaning schedule for shelters or go a bit longer in terms of maintaining buses. Any ripple in what we count as revenue is a significant issue.”
FTA noted that, under the current continuing budget resolution through April 28, the total amount being withheld is approximately $8.9 million for the two states and the district. Based on a full-year appropriation, the total amount that may be withheld in FY 2017 is estimated at approximately $15 million.
Passenger Transport contacted Maryland DOT and WMATA for this story. They were unavailable for comment.
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