Transit First Applauds Metro Board for Maintaining Service

Statement Issued January 28, 2010

The Transit First coalition applauds the decision by WMATA's board to preserve needed transit service. This decision means better lives for thousands of commuters - and a brighter future for our region.

Metro's riders made a powerful statement last night. We believe in our transit service so much that we are willing to tax ourselves with higher fares to preserve it. The Board wisely heard this message.

There is a wider lesson here. Drivers are unwilling to tax themselves to keep up with the rising costs of our road network. Gasoline taxes have not increased in 13 years, while Metro fares have gone up repeatedly.

The governments of D.C., Maryland, and Virginia should heed the preferences that are so clearly expressed. Transit is the future of transportation in our region. We must make Metro the highest priority in our transportation budgets and fund WMATA adequately to maintain service on the existing network and expand it for the future.