Virginia lawmakers have advanced a $400 million annual funding plan to stabilize Metro, Virginia Railway Express (VRE), and local bus systems—but sharp divisions remain over who should pay for it.
Meeting Wednesday in Arlington, the Northern Virginia Growing Needs of Public Transit Joint Subcommittee approved a resolution urging the General Assembly to find “net new” revenue sources while avoiding cuts to existing transportation funding. Options include a retail delivery fee, a sales tax on rideshare companies, and an expanded sales and use tax.
The proposal aims to cover rising operating and capital costs for Metro, which faces a projected $400 million annual shortfall beginning in 2028, as well as funding gaps for VRE and regional bus services.
Sen. Adam Ebbin (D–Alexandria), who chairs the subcommittee, said the recommendations provide “a good set of principles and needs” for lawmakers to consider when they return to Richmond in January.
But not all officials are on board. Tiffany Robinson, director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, voted against the resolution, warning that it could effectively raise taxes by $300 million a year.
“We all acknowledge WMATA is an important asset,” Robinson said to Virginia Mercury. “What we don’t agree on is increasing taxes—up to $300 million annually from hardworking Virginia taxpayers.”
Robinson said Virginians already send nearly $800 million a year to Metro and argued that its budget has grown 67% faster than taxpayers’ incomes over the last five years. Instead of new taxes, she urged lawmakers to prioritize savings through service adjustments, overhead reductions, and fare reviews.
Ebbin countered that Metro has already identified more than $500 million in cost savings and continues to recover ridership after the pandemic.
If the General Assembly declines to act, local governments could face tough choices to meet their Metro funding obligations, potentially leading to service cuts or higher local taxes.
The legislature reconvenes January 14.