Transit Advocates to Governor O'Malley: Keep Our Transit System Viable

Sierra Club Responds to Recent Budget Proposal Submitted by WMATA Interim General Mangager Richard Sarles

Washington DC--Sierra Club's Montgomery County Group and Maryland Chapter sent Governor Martin O’Malley a letter this week asking Maryland to provide crucial funding to ensure a fully functional Metro system.

The letter, co-signed by the Coalition for Smarter Growth, Greater Greater Washington, Action Committee for Transit, Maryland PIRG, One Less Car and Environment Maryland, states that failure to prevent severe service cuts included in WMATA’s proposed budget would be “disastrous”. It points out, “Metro is a revenue generator for the entire DC region and crucial to the tax base of Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties.”

Advocates voiced concern that eliminating eight-car trains during peak periods would increase safety risks on station platforms. The letter argues that the combination of cutbacks, including 30-minute waits for trains at night and on weekends, and the $89 million fare hike would infuriate riders, driving them into their cars and making our roads even more congested. Former Metro General Richard White’s warning of a “death spiral” of shrinking service and revenue would become a reality.

“We are extremely concerned that proposed Metro service cuts would devastate Maryland’s economy and environment.” asserted Ethan Goffman, transit advocate for the Montgomery County Sierra Club. “It is our hope that Governor O’Malley will build on his record of supporting transit by providing Maryland’s share of the funding necessary to prevent these cuts.”

 

The organizations are participating in the FairShareForMetro.com campaign advocating for a region-wide increase of $74 million, which is needed to preserve current service levels and avoid the cuts. Northern Virginia jurisdictions have indicated they are prepared to provide their share. But no jurisdiction will commit to providing extra funds if another rejects the idea. DC officials, led by Councilmember Jim Graham, are working to increase their funding commitment. The State of Maryland whose portion is $30 million has yet to indicate it will provide its share of the needed funds.

Vice Chair of Sierra Club’s Maryland Chapter, Dave O’Leary stated, “No jurisdiction will commit to providing extra funds if another indicates it is rejecting the idea. It would be a travesty to see the cuts adopted because Maryland rejected a fair share for Metro.” Says O’Leary, “This leaves it up to Maryland to assure that our transit system remains viable.”

O’Leary offered that, “Maryland environmentalists have been impressed by Governor O’Malley’s record, but drastic reductions in Metro service would increase our dependence on cars, discourage mixed use development around transit centers and lead to more sprawl.” He makes the case that, “Even in times of severe budget constraint and painful choices, it is critical to maintain today’s level of Metro service. A well-funded Metro that moves people more efficiently than cars can is our best transportation strategy for the region.”

The FairShareForMetro.com campaign has called upon local governments to provide the funds necessary to prevent service cuts at Metro, which the groups' letter described as a "vital asset for our region." Unless all jurisdictions agree to boost funding, the cuts will happen.