Metro’s Capital Improvement Needs

Presented to the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board

ByTom Harrington, Director of Long Range PlanningWashington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

December 17, 2008

Metro and the Region

How do we maintain our world-class system and meet the growing transit needs of the region in the future?

Purpose is to present a comprehensive review of Metro’s capital improvement needs over the next 10 years– Basis for next WMATA capital

funding strategy– WMATA Inputs to the FY11-16

TIP and CLRP Financial Plan– Transit capacity constraint in

CLRP 2

Metro’s Contribution to the Region

Congestion Relief– Metro removes cars from congested corridors– Metrorail carries 32% of rush hour trips to core

Mobility Choice– Washington region has 2nd highest share of commuting

trips on transit– Transit users on average save $820 in fuel per year

Environmental Impacts– Taking transit to work can eliminate 4,800 pounds of

greenhouse gas CO2 per year; with roughly 600 thousand riders using Metro daily, this totals 1.5 million tons per year.

Economic Generator– Transit supports development investment – over $25

billion in development has been built near Metrorail 3

Why Develop a Capital Needs Inventory?

• Support development of regional funding strategy−Metro Matters Funding Agreement ends July 2010−SAFETEA-LU expires in September 2009 −Optimal schedule for multi-year rail and bus

vehicle procurements

• Foundation for a strategic capital planning process−Baseline of capital needs−Link capital investment decisions to agency goals

4

Capital Needs Overview

Conducted capital needs inventory– 10-years (FY 2011 to FY 2020)– Full inventory of needs (not limited by funding availability)– Outreach with each department– Based on life-cycle replacements, current conditions, and

future demand

What’s not included in the capital needs inventory:– System expansion projects (entrances, stations, new rail

lines)– Transit projects to be funded or implemented entirely by

the jurisdictions– Debt repayment costs

5

Capital Needs Overview (-cont)

The FY 2011 – FY 2020 capital needs are driven by several key factors:

Many system components were built when system opened , have reached end of lifecycle, must be replaced

For the first time, Metro is faced with the replacement of a series of railcars

Information Technology and MetroAccess capital costs are being fully addressed

Construction and material costs are rapidly increasing Includes deferred needs

6

Provide the Best Ride in the Nation

Capital Needs Inventory

7

Capital Improvement Needs: FY 2011 – FY 2020

Capital Needs in 2008 dollars: $9.2 billionCapital Needs in 2008 dollars: $9.2 billion

Metro’s total capital needs for FY 2011- FY 2020 are $11.3 billion, or $1.1 billion per year.

Future needs are roughly double the current capital spending levels.

8

Performance – What’s Needed

Bus mid-life rehab & replacements

Railcar rehab & replacement

Rail system rehab

Rehab rail maintenance facilities

Replace obsolete bus garages

IT – Software, security and data centers

9

Customer Experience – What’s Needed

Station safety- Lighting upgrades- “Bumpy tile” platform edging at

all stations- Signage improvements

Improve real-time and web-based information

Fare payment system improvements

Station and platform canopies- Complete entrance canopy program- Extend exterior station platform

canopies

10

Ridership Growth Trends

• Metrorail ridership is expected to grow from about 750,000 trips daily in 2008 to about 910,000 in 2020.

• Metrobus ridership is expected to grow from about 460,000 trips daily in 2008 to about 510,000 in 2020.

• Metrorail ridership is expected to grow from about 750,000 trips daily in 2008 to about 910,000 in 2020.

• Metrobus ridership is expected to grow from about 460,000 trips daily in 2008 to about 510,000 in 2020. 11

Demand – What’s Needed

Metrorail capacity enhancements-Core station improvements such as more elevators and escalators-100% 8-car trains during rush period, including power upgrades and storage

Metrobus enhancements- Priority corridor improvements- Over 300 additional buses- Build 2 new bus garages

More MetroAccess vehicles

12

◄ If we do not expand the fleet after Metro Matters

◄ If we expand the fleet for 100% 8-car train service

Rail System Capacity

13

System Capacity Challenges

Deployment of 8-car trains will likely handle system capacity needs thru 2025

Highest priority stations for capacity improvement are largely in the Core

System extensions require expansion of core capacity

14

Metro’s Next Steps for Funding Prioritize Metro’s capital

needs

In 2009 – Work with regional partners to finalize a new capital funding arrangement, effective July 1, 2010

Work with federal and jurisdiction partners to secure dedicated funding

Position Metro to receive federal economic stimulus funds

15

www.wmata.com

About Metro / Planning & Development

For more information…

16