Metro System

Washington's Metro system has been growing ever more popular, and more people taking MetroRail and MetroBus means less polluting cars on the road everyday. But if we fail to fully fund this world-class system, it will soon be unable to handle additional riders, forcing people back to their cars and worsening air quality. Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. should prioritize transit funding so we can make the most of this critical transportation network.

Metro's Listening. What are we saying?
Do you want to make your voice heard before Metro makes a major decision this week affecting train and bus service, fares and the capital budget?

Federal Case
Congress has approved $150 million for capital improvements benefiting Metro riders. The Obama Administration will submit its FY2011 budget to Congress within weeks. It’s critical that it include $150 million for improvements to Metro.

Metro Needs New, Guaranteed Funding
Without guaranteed funding, Metro faces huge budget shortfalls. Our choices are clear - fund Metro now or face chronic breakdowns and dangerous overcrowding later.

Public Involvement at Metro
A stable and efficient Metro System is in everyone's best interest in the Metro DC area. One way to improve operations is to provide more opportunities for the folks who know the system best - its riders - to have a meaningful dialogue with decision makers. Toward this goal, Sierra Club has been working with local officials and Metro staff to improve public involvement.

Related Actions:

Take Action for Better Metro Service
Make your voice heard to improve Metro service. Contact your public officials and urge them to act to get the new buses and railcars needed to relieve overcrowding. Improving Metro helps more people choose transit over driving, and is one of our best local solutions to global warming.

Tell Gov. Kaine and Gov. O'Malley: Rail Now on the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge
The new Woodrow Wilson Bridge is rail-ready, but action is needed by Virginia and Maryland officials to jumpstart the effort to add Metro connections between the Yellow and Green Lines. Virginia Governor Tim Kaine and Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley have committed to improving transit in our region. Ask them to act to take action now to put rail on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.

End the Delays: Bring Streetcars to DC!
An energy-efficient transportation choice. Coming soon to a neighborhood near you?

Related News:

Environmental group urges advocacy on Metro issues
Washington Examiner 22, 2007
"Activists from the Sierra Club spent Wednesday morning at Metrorail stations throughout the region urging riders to publicly oppose fare increases and service reductions."

Wynn wants Wilson Bridge study expedited
Washington Examiner 14, 2007
"Rail across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge would provide the 100,000 plus Prince George's County residents who commute across the Wilson Bridge every day with an alternative to congested roadways," said Congressman Al Wynn in a letter to Governor Martin O'Malley. "Transit across the bridge will take people off the road and help reduce emissions in our region."

The ICC Won't Solve Our Traffic Problems
Washington Post 11, 2006
"For 30 years I made the same assumption. I repeatedly voted for appropriations to buy the right of way when it was threatened with new housing or other development. But then the environmental impact study published in 1997 forecast no significant relief for congestion. At that point I changed my mind and joined the opposition." -NEAL POTTER, former Montgomery County executive

Transportation bill authorizes funding for preliminary rail studies
Gazette 8, 2005
The Campaign to Reinvest in the Heart of Oxon Hill is working on the next step to encourage construction of a rail system across the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge after funding for preliminary engineering of a transit route over the bridge was recently authorized.