4504406 Resolution 20-187, “Sense of the Council in Supporting Implementation of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Momentum Strategic Plan Resolution of 2013”

A RESOLUTION

 

20-187

 

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

 

June 26, 2013

 

To declare the sense of the Council that the Council supports “Momentum,” the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s strategic plan for 2013-2025, which calls for a $26 billion capital expansion to the system.

 

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Sense of the Council in Supporting Implementation of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Momentum Strategic Plan Resolution of 2013”.

 

Sec. 2. The Council finds that:   

(1)               The Metro transit system has served the metropolitan Washington area well since its establishment in 1976 through the provision of bus, rail, and paratransit services that help to transport our residents and workers while reducing the number of cars on the road..

(2)               The original Metro transit system was paid for by allocating half the costs to the federal government, with the other half paid by Virginia, Maryland, and the District in equal shares.

(3)               The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (“WMATA”) is charting a new course to ensure that the transit system meets the needs of the region through a strategic planning effort, the first for WMATA in more than a decade.

(4)               Planning for the future and investing in WMATA is critical because the Metro transit system is the backbone of the region, with 2 million jobs located within a half mile of Metrorail or Metrobus routes.

(5)               WMATA and its riders relieve the jurisdictions’ need to construct at least 1,000 lane miles of roads and tens of thousands of parking spaces.

(6)               While WMATA continues rebuilding virtually the entire system to improve safety, reliability, and customer service, it must be able to serve the expected millions more future riders and support the region’s economic growth.

(7)               Demand is already outstripping capacity and more growth is expected, thus, additional investments are needed to prepare WMATA’s core central stations in the region, and ultimately, to ensure the continued prosperity of the region.

(8)               WMATA’s plan, “Momentum: The Next Generation of Metro,” benefits from more than a year of unprecedented outreach to nearly 12,000 customers and stakeholders, provides a road map to achieve the goals, and guides WMATA’s annual business plan.

(9)               Recognizing that the region’s mobility depends on the continued operation of WMATA’s core network, “Momentum” includes the following key priorities for completion by 2025:  operation of all 8-car trains during rush hour; completion of the Metrobus Priority Corridor Network; a one-stop shop for all regional transit trip planning and payment; and a better, more efficient MetroAccess service. 

(10)           “Momentum” would provide a regional return by carrying 35,000 more passengers on trains per hour during rush hour, moving bus customers 50% faster using 12% less fuel while also removing an additional 100,000 trips from roadways each day, providing customers with one convenient hub to plan, pay for, and take a transit trip seamlessly and effortlessly, serving more customers with stations that are brighter, safer, and easier to navigate, offering customers information that is available at all times to keep them informed during trips, and increasing Blue Line service so that trains arrive every 6 minutes during rush hour.

(11)            “Momentum” has been vetted by business leaders, advocacy groups, legislative decision makers, jurisdictional partners, and riders.

 

Sec. 3.  It is the sense of the Council that the Council recognizes and supports “Momentum,” the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s strategic plan for 2013-2025, which calls for a $26 billion capital expansion to the system.

 

            Sec. 4. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution, upon its adoption, to the District of Columbia Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives, to the members of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and to the Mayor.

 

            Sec. 5. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.