PRESS STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 5, 2026

CONTACT

Stewart Schwartz
stewart@smartergrowth.net; (703) 599-6437

Today, WMATA posted Board committee meeting materials for this Thursday showing proposed fare changes for Metrorail, Metrobus and Metroaccess next fiscal year. After not raising fares since 2024, WMATA proposes a modest increase to regular fares accounting for inflation, while adjusting certain late night and weekend/holiday fares and reduced fare programs to align with the agency’s longer-term fare strategy.

The Coalition for Smarter Growth’s Executive Director Stewart Schwartz reacted to the staff proposals: “We have to look at the WMATA proposal as a package combining a modest fare increase with proposed regional-wide fare-free passes for youth, continued promotion of the low-income fare program, and encouraging employer enrollment in transit benefit programs. A $0.25 fare increase, with up to a $0.75 increase for longer-distance Metrorail rides, is a reasonable ask by the agency, given inflation pressures, especially higher fuel and electricity costs.”

“It is also a relatively modest increase compared to the significant fare increases and doomsday scenarios that some other major transit systems in the U.S. are facing. Fortunately, Metro riders will be investing in the more frequent and reliable service improvements made in the past few years, which have resulted in high customer satisfaction and performance.”  

“Metro belongs to all of us and together we can ensure Metro remains a world-class transit system – by riders contributing fares and our local, state, and federal governments providing the additional operating support and the capital funding the system needs. We urge the three jurisdictions – DC, Maryland and Virginia – to follow through on their DMVMoves commitments to fund Metro’s increased capital funding needs starting in FY28 for system maintenance and modernization.,” said Schwartz.

Bill Pugh, CSG’s Transportation and Climate Director, added: “CSG is glad to see that Metro is expanding ways to qualify for its Metro Lift reduced fare program, and also proposing a Free-to-Youth fare policy that would create consistency across jurisdictions. However, the additional proposed concept of removing the weekday late night discount may hurt workers returning home from late night shifts in the service industries.”

Pugh continued, “We agree that we need continued progress in fare payment and enforcement. However, the scale of fare evasion should be put in perspective with the more than one billion dollars of unpaid driver safety violations on DC streets. The three state jurisdictions should reach an agreement on ticket reciprocity. We understand that MWCOG is moving this forward with a proposal to make this a reality. Enforcing street safety will also benefit transit riders who are at risk from dangerous drivers on their way to and from bus stops and rail stations, and perhaps some of the recovered revenues should go to Metro.” 

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