Metro fares are set to increase with the transit agency’s new budget, which takes effect on July 1.
Bus and base rail fares will increase by 12.5 percent from $2 to $2.25, while the maximum rail fare will rise from $6 to $6.75. Late-night and weekend fares will also increase, shifting from a flat $2 to a variable rate between $2.25 and $2.50 based on distance traveled.
MetroAccess fares will be capped at $4.50, up from the previous $4. Metro is also equipping bicycle lockers with an hourly rental feature, with a rate of 5 cents an hour, up to $1.00 per day.
Parking fees will remain unchanged.
The fare increases are set to be implemented as five Metro stations—Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen, Silver Spring, and Takoma—are temporarily closed for Purple Line construction and Red Line maintenance and repair, condensing eight months of weekend closures and disruptions into the summer months.
The Takoma station is slated to reopen on June 30, one day before the new fares take effect.
REMINDER: This weekend marks the start of summer construction on the🔴RD Line, closing Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen, Silver Spring, & Takoma stations. Takoma Station reopens 6/30. Remaining stations closed through 8/31. PLAN NOW: https://t.co/FqApO78XFq #wmata pic.twitter.com/4JFdYpMZOC
— Metro Forward (@wmata) May 28, 2024
Metro’s new $4.8 billion budget was approved in April and aims to maintain bus and rail service levels, which were at risk of cuts due to a significant $750 million budget shortfall caused by record inflation, increased remote work, and the depletion of federal COVID relief funds for transit. According to MCM, legislators in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia helped bridge the budget gap by contributing hundreds of millions of dollars in additional funding, and Metro reduced its costs by $50 million.
Additionally, Metro and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments have formed DMV Moves, a new 20-member task force that includes Montgomery County Council Vice President Kate Stewart and aims to avoid significant service cuts in the future.
The task force will begin meeting this month, according to MCM.
Looking forward to serving and being part of this initiative as we work toward a sustainable future for public transit in our region. https://t.co/g9XlXsguh7
— Councilmember Kate Stewart (she/her) (@cmkatestewart) May 2, 2024
More details about the new budget can be found on Metro’s website.
Photo: © kosoff – stock.adobe.com / Metro Graphic