Metro’s board gave preliminary approval Thursday for its budget that includes several fare discounts and increased train service — if the 7000-series trains are back on the tracks by the time the $2.2 billion budget goes into effect.

The board voted 8-0 and will have a final formal vote on March 24th. The budget and service levels will be in effect from July 1 until June 2023.

Metro riders will see cheaper late-night fares and passes in an effort to woo back riders. Metrorail ridership remains just a third of pre-pandemic levels.

Among the changes:

– Flat $2 rail fares after 9:30 p.m. ($1 for people with senior/disabled passes)
– A six-month promo for 7-day unlimited bus/rail pass for $29. That’s half the usual price of $58.
– Cheaper monthly passes. Unlimited passes currently range from $72 to $216 depending on how far you travel. Those will be reduced to the range of $64 to $192, an 11% discount.

One fare proposal that did not make it through was an extra $5 credit when you added $25 to your SmarTrip card. Board member Matt Letourneau says it was the most expensive proposal and would cost Metro an estimated $7 million. He says Metro will still face a $400 million budget gap in its next fiscal year, so not including that credit would help reduce that burden. Some public commentators noted it’s also an equity issue since not everyone has the money to add $25 worth of credit at a time.

The fiscal year 2023 budget also included the permanent adoption of several ideas implemented last year including:

– Free transfers between bus and rail (there used to be a $2 charge)
– Flat $2 weekend rail fares
– A 7-day bus pass for $12 (instead of $15). Seniors and people with disabilities get a $6.50 pass.

One group that did not get discounts was MetroAccess riders, the paratransit service. Members of the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) said they want $4 flat fares on weekends and after 9:30 p.m. to match rail fares. They also asked for simplified fare structures for MetroAccess customers. Denise Rush of the AAC said they don’t want special treatment, but fair treatment. Those changes will not go forward this year.

Meanwhile, rail service is set to get… better? It’s difficult to tell what’s “normal” anymore after the transit agency made multiple changes to service levels during the pandemic, followed by major service cuts associated with the removal of the 7000-series trains in October after a derailment that forced the entire 748 car fleet offline.

Right now Metro is running trains every 10 minutes on the Red Line and every 20 minutes on other lines all day. That would increase dramatically

The Red Line would see trains every five minutes in peak times, six minutes the rest of the day, and every 10 minutes during late night. The other lines would have trains every 10 minutes at peak times, 12 minutes on off-peak, and every 15 minutes at late night. This is similar to what was in place before the sidelining of the 7000-series.

Letourneau says the rail service levels depend on the return of the 7000-series trains. He knows riders are frustrated with the limited service and says Metro is working to get those trains back as soon as possible. Metro said in January that it would hold the trains at least until mid-April to get a better idea of the root cause of the wheel spreading issue, but the return could take longer.

Metro received 3,000 public comments, but only 19 people testified at the three in-person hearings.

Yellow Line closures

Meanwhile, board members and members of Congress are reacting to the news of a seven to eight-month shutdown on parts of the Yellow Line starting in September.

Metro is rehabilitating the tunnels and bridges that connect L’Enfant Plaza to Pentagon, work that will sever service on the Yellow Line between D.C. and Virginia. A second project to connect the new Potomac Yard Station will also require a six-week closure south of Washington National Airport station between Sept. 10 and Oct. 22.

Metro has not outlined plans for alternatives, and it’s unclear how they will address this unique closure. Metro usually announces shuttles and alternatives about two to three months before a closure.

Metro board member Sarah Kline asked how Metro could enhance bus routes to make up for the upcoming Yellow Line bridge closure, which will be a big hassle for many.

Assistant general manager Lynn Bowersox says Metro is working with local jurisdictions and other local bus companies to fill the gap.

“In addition to the Blue Line, we (used to have) a very popular bus route from the Pentagon, for example, and people are already saying we need that back,” she said. “We’re working through that.”

Meanwhile, Rep. Don Beyer (D-Virginia) said in a statement that he is “especially concerned” for Huntington and Eisenhower Ave. station commuters who will face a burden.

“Increased bus service from WMATA and its regional partners will be key to minimizing the impacts on these riders,” he wrote. “I urge WMATA to maximize Blue Line service to the extent possible to help compensate for increased traffic as Yellow Line riders shift their commutes during this work.”

Inspector General not reappointed

As expected, the board did not reappoint Inspector General Geoff Cherrington, voting 8-0 to name his deputy Rene Febles as interim while they search for a permanent replacement.

Metro board members and the transit agency have refused to comment on the change to the independent IG, whose office investigates fraud, waste, and abuse.

The board didn’t discuss the matter beyond a statement from board chair Paul Smedberg, who said the board supports the mission of the office, has supported reforms, and has given more money to carry out the work.

“(We) are confident (Febles’)  leadership will provide the OIG with the continuity and effectiveness required to carry out his missions,” Smedberg stated, reading from a written statement.

Silver Line update

There is still no solid date for the opening of the second phase of the Silver Line, a new 11.5-mile extension from Wiehle-Reston to Ashburn with a much-anticipated stop at Dulles Airport.

Metro staff went over construction “punch list” items, hiring efforts, and testing set for the Silver Line, but no apparent timeline.

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority still has possession of the line and is going through last-minute items. The Metro board will set an opening date.

A Fairfax County official said earlier this month that the line would open sometime this summer, which is behind a previously projected April or May

Metro would not confirm that timeline, saying the board makes the sole determination of when the line is safe and ready to begin service.

TSA extends mask mandate on public transit

While jurisdictions across the country are eliminating mask mandates, they’ll still be required on buses, trains, airplanes, and other transportation services for a while longer.

Thursday, the Transportation Security Administration extended its mask mandate another month to April 18. It was set to expire on March 18.

NPR reports the extension is based on a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It could be canceled earlier if the science supports it, the TSA says.