WMATA CFO Dennis Anosike says Metro revenue is outperforming the guesses it made in its budget for the year. Metro seeing 4-5 million more trips than it predicted (though I remember they played it pretty conservative just in case). 
Metro's finance dept is pitching two different scenarios to the board: a regular and conservative estimate. The top line gray line assumes people return to work, telework decreases. The blue line assumes that happens much more slowly.
Metro will again rely on a big chunk of federal money to bridge their budget gap: $705 million. But that federal COVID relief money will likely run out sometime in FY2024. And that is going to be a big problem if ridership doesn't return.
Anosike says Metro has about $800 million left in federal funds after this fiscal year. So subtract the $705 million in FY2023 and Metro has about $95 million to fill the gap in FY2024.
Anosike says Metro came up with a conservative budget proposal because largely workers have not returned to the office as quickly as some regional surveys had suggested. The latest Greater Washington Partnership big biz survey now suggests return to work next summer.
Alt board member Tom Bulger says he thinks Metro should pick one budget scenario: he suggests the 53% ridership recovery (compared to pre-pandemic levels) instead of the 55% recovery. Says they are too close together to really make any difference, but likes conservative approach
That wraps the budget discussion. Here's the timeline going forward.
Now the full board meeting and public comment.
A D.C. resident is upset about the cost of fare evaders on the budget: "Why do I pay my fare every day for people to blatantly not pay theirs?"
Metro's CFO says they've predicted less fare revenue bc of increasing fare evasion.
A D.C. resident is upset about the cost of fare evaders on the budget: "Why do I pay my fare every day for people to blatantly not pay theirs?"
Metro's CFO says they've predicted less fare revenue bc of increasing fare evasion.
A couple of residents upset with bus service.
- 2A route needs to be increased from 30/45 mins to every 15 mins.
- 89M route at Greenbelt never shows up
- 2A route needs to be increased from 30/45 mins to every 15 mins.
- 89M route at Greenbelt never shows up
- Some guy from Fairfax upset/confused with DC CM Charles Allen proposal for $100 for fares for D.C. residents. I think he thinks WMATA paying for it (it's not, it would come from D.C. funds)
- First comment about 7000-series train service. Had to wait a long time for train at DCA. Also had to deal with track maintenance during the day.
- Frustration with "disregard for train time departures" and poor communication from staff.
- Frustration with "disregard for train time departures" and poor communication from staff.
Accessibility Advisory Committee Chair Phil Posner says no one on the board should resign like some public commenters say they should.
"Just keep doing the great job you've been doing."
"Just keep doing the great job you've been doing."
Riders Advisory Council Chair Brian Meyer thanks the board for "what you do to keep the system safe for all, especially over the past month or two."
Board honoring departing board members.
Fed appointee Devin Rouse says safety is not an easy fix. It's not something that can change overnight. "Keep your head down, keep working on the ROCC and red light overruns... It's a never-ending quest to get a safe and reliable system."
Fed appointee Devin Rouse says safety is not an easy fix. It's not something that can change overnight. "Keep your head down, keep working on the ROCC and red light overruns... It's a never-ending quest to get a safe and reliable system."
Now an update on service and the 7000-series issues:
- Metro aims to get from 31 trains daily to 50 trains daily. Working to bring more trains back but will take time.
- Service will remain the same through mid-November
15-20 mins on the Red Line
30-40 mins on other lines
- Metro aims to get from 31 trains daily to 50 trains daily. Working to bring more trains back but will take time.
- Service will remain the same through mid-November
15-20 mins on the Red Line
30-40 mins on other lines
- Metro still working on tests/inspection intervals for the 7000-series train. Submitting some stuff to WMSC this week. After that tests will take two weeks after the plan is submitted.
More on service phases:
Even that last phase with adding all available trains is still pretty bad service.
Shows how big of an impact having 60% of your trains out...
Shows how big of an impact having 60% of your trains out...
Metro says it's going to initially use any extra trains to relieve crowding that's happening in evening rush hours in downtown areas.
For folks riding now, how much does crowding bother you? (given the pandemic and different personal bubbles than we had before)
Now more on the derailment investigation.
Here's a picture of the equipment of how Metro measures the distance between the back of the two wheels. Part of the issue with the derailment is one axle had wheels that moved too far apart.
Smedberg says he's heard from a lot of stakeholders:
"They find it very hard to believe, given (Wiedefeld's) track record, that if you knew about this, that you wouldn't have done something. They all ask me, did you know?"
Wiedefeld says he didn't know.
"They find it very hard to believe, given (Wiedefeld's) track record, that if you knew about this, that you wouldn't have done something. They all ask me, did you know?"
Wiedefeld says he didn't know.
Smedberg asks Wiedefeld where the accountability should be here?
Wiedefeld says the investigation will continue to seek an answer to that.
Wiedefeld says the investigation will continue to seek an answer to that.
Bulger asks about outside safety experts for the board.
Smedberg says gathering names, says it will happen this year.
Smedberg says gathering names, says it will happen this year.
Bulger asks who came up w/ $21 refund for riders on derailment, says it was "an insult."
Wiedefeld says they often compensate riders for inconvenince. It's about week's worth of rides.
"I just don't get it. Walking 10 football fields for 21 bucks makes no sense to me," - Bulger
Wiedefeld says they often compensate riders for inconvenince. It's about week's worth of rides.
"I just don't get it. Walking 10 football fields for 21 bucks makes no sense to me," - Bulger
ICYMI that story last week: dcist.com/story/21/10/20…
COO Joe Leader explains why Metro is using extra available trains as "gap" or "tripper" trains instead of just running them on regular service.
He says it's in hopes of alleviating crowding, making sure riders don't have to wait for a second train, which could be 20-30 mins away.
He says it's in hopes of alleviating crowding, making sure riders don't have to wait for a second train, which could be 20-30 mins away.
Sarah Kline with a good questions about why inspections taking so long.
Chief Safety Officer Theresa Impastato says cars have to be cleaned first so you can find leaks. Then put over an inspection pit, which there's only a few available. Then they go over detailed checklist.
Chief Safety Officer Theresa Impastato says cars have to be cleaned first so you can find leaks. Then put over an inspection pit, which there's only a few available. Then they go over detailed checklist.
Wiedefeld says he does not want to put a date out on when the 7000-series could return. He wants to make sure the process is done right and safely instead of quickly.
VA alt. board member Walter Alcorn notes that may be frustrating for riders wondering when decent service could return.
DC Board Member Lucinda Babers asks the board: "Should we still be charging peak fares without peak service?... People want to know what the board is doing"
Smedberg says it's something that should likely be on the table. Says he's heard that idea from customers and stakeholders
Smedberg says it's something that should likely be on the table. Says he's heard that idea from customers and stakeholders
Babers asks about overtime for maintenance staff.
Wiedefeld says some savings from not running 7000-series so some tradeoffs of costs.
Wiedefeld says some savings from not running 7000-series so some tradeoffs of costs.
CSO Impastato says NTSB investigations can take up to 24 months, but they release information as they learn it.
Difficult to predict how long each phase of the investigation will take, she says.
Difficult to predict how long each phase of the investigation will take, she says.
Smedberg asks about the WMSC report where it found two wheels that were known to have defects go back on the system. How preventing again?
Wiedefeld not commenting on that because of the investigation. Says they're putting up tags in cabs and need supervisor to move train at all
Wiedefeld not commenting on that because of the investigation. Says they're putting up tags in cabs and need supervisor to move train at all
Every time Smedberg says stakeholders I'm reminded of @FenitN's bio line: "Stakeholders should only describe vampire hunters."
And Metro's board meeting has wrapped for the day.
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