Letter to John B. Catoe, General Manager Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

Van Hollen, Hoyer and Edwards Urge WMATA to Avoid Sweeping Service Cuts

Today, Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Congresswoman Donna Edwards (D-MD) sent a letter to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) regarding service cuts in the FY 2010 budget proposal. These cuts will significantly degrade Metrobus access in Prince George's and Montgomery Counties.

As Marylanders feel the crunch of our current economic crisis, people rely on WMATA as their primary transit option. For these hard-working people, the proposed service cuts would at best be inconvenient and at worst insurmountable. The Representatives encouraged officials to consider alternate options to fix the problem this year without these sweeping service cuts. The full text of the letter is below.

John B. Catoe, General Manager
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
600 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001

Dear Mr. Catoe:

We write regarding the proposed cuts to bus service being considered by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Board and ask that these views be included in the public record.

As a Members of Congress representing suburban Maryland, we are acutely aware that a substantial number of our constituents rely on WMATA bus services to get to work in the morning and travel throughout their daily lives. We have been pleased to work with our colleagues in Congress to secure the passage of dedicated funding legislation and attain significant funding for WMATA in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

We understand the severe budget deficits facing transit agencies across the country and appreciate WMATA's continued efforts to control costs. However, we are concerned that the service cuts in the FY 2010 budget proposal will significantly degrade Metrobus access in Prince George's and Montgomery Counties at a time when residents cannot afford to lose transit options. Many residents already leave early in the morning and take multiple buses to get to work. For them, these service cuts would at best be inconvenient and at worst insurmountable.

Though we appreciate the Board's efforts to find long-term solutions to funding deficits, we encourage you to consider alternate options to fix the problem this year without these sweeping service cuts. Residents must continue to have access to transit to get work, run errands, and make doctor's appointments. Our nation's economic challenges only make these services more essential.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of these views.

Sincerely,

CHRIS VAN HOLLEN STENY HOYER DONNA EDWARDS

Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress

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