WMATA released its FY26 proposed budget in December.
As of February 2025, WMATA said it has seen 46 consecutive months of ridership growth, “driving higher-than-expected revenue.” This prompted the transit authority to boost FY26 passenger revenue projections by 4%, or $20 million, to $464 million. Additionally, FY27 projected passenger revenue has gone up $26 million, according to WMATA (see chart above; download revised FY26 proposed budget below).
“The increase in ridership is partially influenced by commuters returning to the office, contributing to new highs in rush hour ridership,” reported WMATA, which noted that FY26 and FY27 ridership is now projected at 270 million trips and 275 million trips, respectively.
“As revenue goes up, the need to transfer funds from the Capital budget to the Operating budget has decreased, allowing Metro [WMATA] to preserve capacity for essential capital work while bolstering the operating budget,” the transit authority said.
Looking ahead, WMATA said it is committed to “improving the efficiency of its operations, including reducing management overhead and completing major construction projects at lower costs.”
“We are excited to see ridership returning and revenue increasing, which allows Metro to prudently invest in services and infrastructure where most needed,” WMATA Board Chair Valerie Santos said. “These revisions to the budget reflect a commitment to providing reliable and efficient transit options for our community while ensuring the authority remains fiscally responsible.”
Also on Feb. 27, WMATA released its 2025 Annual Transformation Report (download below) that highlights key accomplishments achieved in Calendar Year 2024 (CY24), including rising ridership, and the continued progress it is making toward its “Service Excellence, Talented Teams, Regional Opportunity & Partnership, and Sustainability” goals.
WMATA reported achieving a “historic milestone” with 45 consecutive months of ridership growth, coupled with “record-breaking” rider satisfaction ratings of 92% for Metrorail and 83% for Metrobus.
Among its other notable CY24 achievements:
- As part of ongoing efforts to improve service reliability, the transit authority said it returned to ATO (Automatic Train Operations) on the Red Line for the first time in 15 years and is working toward restoring ATO systemwide later in 2025.
- The WMATA Board in November 2024 approved the 2025 Better Bus Network overhaul, which is said to represent “a transformative shift in Metrobus service, designed to meet the evolving needs of the region.”
- WMATA introduced the Abilities-Ride program, which provided on-demand transportation to MetroAccess customers, resulting in more than 1 million trips taken.
- WMATA focused on improving system-wide safety, cleanliness, and fare compliance, with new initiatives like modernized fare gates that resulted in an 82% reduction in fare evasion.
Internally, WMATA said it continues to drive efficiencies with more than $500 million in cost reductions identified across both operating and capital budgets. In 2024, the transit authority hired 1,510 new employees and accelerated its hiring process to ensure “critical” vacancies are filled. It also opened a new training academy for the Metro Transit Police Department, increasing training capacity and reducing costs.
“The past year has been a remarkable one for Metro, marked by consistent ridership growth, higher customer satisfaction ratings, increased efficiency and savings, and groundbreaking initiatives aimed at delivering a better transit system,” Valerie Santos said. “Customers expect and deserve safe, reliable, and convenient transportation service and the Annual Transformation Report provides insight into where Metro is excelling and where more focus is needed, helping us be better stewards of the public investment.”
“The success we’ve achieved is due to the dedication of our employees, the support of our regional partners, and our ongoing commitment to delivering service that meets the needs of the communities we serve,” added Randy Clarke, General Manager and CEO of WMATA. “As we approach the 50th anniversary of Metrorail service, we are committed to building a world-class transit system that will serve the region for generations to come.”
