FOX 5 - Local Politicians Trying to Save Metro Funding

News Article

Spending plan doesn't include $150M for Metro

By JOHN HENREHAN/myfoxdc

Local politicians are scrambling to keep federal money flowing into Metro. On Tuesday night, the House rejected Rep. Gerry Connolly's effort to restore a $150 million-a-year plan to help the rail system purchase new train cars and rehabilitate the aging subway's infrastrucutre. Republicans, concerned with the nation's ballooning deficit, have stripped the funding out of pending legislation.

Connolly (D-Virginia) says Metro's oldest rail cars "fold like an accordion" in crashes, and should be replaced as quickly as possible. The National Transportation Safety Board has recommended the replacement of Metro's Series 1000 rail cars for years.

Congress earlier signed on to a ten-year, $3 billion plan to help Metro. Half the money would come from the federal government, and the other half from Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. This is the second year of funding.

That plan is now in jeopardy.

A spokesman for Gov. Bob McDonnell says the Virginia Republican will "soon send a letter to Congress asking them to restore this important funding."

Even though Democrats still control the Senate, prospects for retaining the funding for Metro are uncertain.

Should the federal funding fall through, Metro will probably have to delay the purchase of some new rail cars and defer planned improvements on the railroad's right-of-way.

Metro is the second-busiest subway system in the U.S. During peak travel seasons, about 800,000 trips a day are made on Metro rail.

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