The Brookings Institution Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy Robert Puentes, Senior Research Manager

Transcription

1 The Brookings Institution Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy Robert Puentes, Senior Research Manager Washington s Metro: Deficits by Design Presentation to the WMATA Board Committee June 3, 2004

2 Washington Metro: Deficits by Design I II III IV Background Budget and Finances National Context Local Government Operating Subsidies Need for a Dedicated Revenue Source

3 Background Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority created in 1967 Rail system, in particular, was profoundly important to the federal government National Capital Transportation Act Amendments of 1979 required a dedicated & reliable funding source No agreement could be reached and localities have subsidized a major chunk of operations ever since

4 National context Kansas City is the 28th largest metro WMATA is a very large agency. in terms of ridership 400, , ,000 Heavy Rail Bus 250, , , ,000 50,000 0 New York MYA Annual Ridership, Selected Agencies Source: APTA (2003) Chicago CTA Los Angeles MTA Washington WMATA Philadelphia SEPTA Boston MBTA Atlanta MARTA Maryland MTA Miami MDT San Francisco BART Seattle Metro

5 National context Kansas City is the 28th largest metro WMATA is a very large agency and in terms of the budget $2,000,000 $1,800,000 $1,600,000 $1,400,000 $1,200,000 $1,000,000 $800,000 $600,000 $400,000 $200,000 $0 (in $000 s) New York MYA New Jersey Transit Boston MBTA Washington WMATA Long Island Rail Road Chicago CTA Philadelphia SEPTA Los Angeles MTA San Francisco BART Metro-North MTA NE Illinois RR Metra San Francisco MUNI Largest Transit Agency Budgets Source: FTA NTD (2001)

6 National context Unlike Kansas other City agencies, is the 28th WMATA largest is not metro able to rely on dedicated funds. for capital expenses. Type Source WMATA Agencies with over 1 million National total Directly Generated Funds Dedicated Sources 0% 29.68% 27.68% State Funds General Revenue Dedicated Sources 12.11% 0% 2.80% 8.89% 3.10% 8.54% Local Funds General Revenue Dedicated Sources 20.63% 0% 4.79% 14.53% 4.83% 15.27% Federal Formulas 67.26% 39.31% 40.58% Sources for Capital Funds Applied Total from Dedicated Sources 0% 53.10% 51.49% Source: FTA NTD (2002)

7 National context Unlike other agencies, WMATA is not able to rely on dedicated funds. or for operating expenses. Type Source WMATA Agencies with over 1 million National total Directly Generated Funds Fare revenue and other Dedicated Sources 61.45% 0% 42.97% 7.85% 46.15% 3.09% State Funds General Revenue Dedicated Sources 20.32% 0% 6.54% 19.22% 7.18% 18.10% Local Funds General Revenue Dedicated Sources 14.61% 1.98% 7.63% 11.53% 8.46% 11.64% Federal Formulas 1.64% 4.26% 5.38% Sources for Operating Funds Applied Total from Dedicated Sources 1.98% 38.60% 32.83% Source: FTA NTD (2002)

8 National context Metrorail Kansas has City the is 2 the nd highest 28th largest recovery metro ratio. Metrobus is somewhat below average Heavy Rail Bus Rail median Bus median (top 20) Fare revenues for operating expenses Source: FTA NTD (2001) New York MYA Chicago CTA Los Angeles MTA Washington WMATA Philadelphia SEPTA Boston MBTA Atlanta MARTA Maryland MTA Miami MDT San Francisco BART Pittsburgh Port Athority

9 Kansas City is the 28th largest metro Revenues are derived from a variety of sources. Local subsidy Funds come from the District s highway trust fund. (parking meter fees, traffic fines, vehicle fees, restaurant and hotel taxes). Montgomery and Prince George s share is paid by the state transportation trust fund which is fed primarily by state gas tax but not dedicated. Only dedicated funding source in region is a 2% gas tax (13% of NoVa subsidy); state and federal sources (43.2%) and local general revenues (43.3%) provide the rest.

10 Need for a dedicated revenue source It Kansas has long City been is understood the 28th largest that the metro lack of a dedicated revenue source is problematic for WMATA Several GAO reports have pointed this out since Moody s rating service has expressed concern over appropriations risk. No agency is as reliant on annually authorized funds as WMATA

11 Need for a dedicated revenue source Kansas City is the 28th largest metro There are a number of potential sources of dedicated revenue for WMATA A gas tax has potential because of potential to reduce externalities but is a tough political sell. Sales taxes generate considerable revenues for transit. Not directly related to transit. Plus Virginia issues. Congestion charges are untried but a popular idea. London revenues fund transit.

12 Need for a dedicated revenue source Kansas City is the 28th largest metro There are a number of potential sources of dedicated revenue for WMATA (cont.) Prior proposals for regional parking taxes have been shelved. WMATA already does land value capture with joint development projects. Potential for more. A payroll levy would generate considerable revenue but faces many problems.

13 Certainly pitfalls exist and implementation is not easy But the need for a dedicated funding source is clear Best option may be for a mix of dedicated sources on the subregional level - supplemented by federal sources.

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