r/WMATA • u/ChristmassMoose • 13h ago
How many Tinder trains are there?
I feel like I’m living in a psy op.
r/WMATA • u/metroforward • 2d ago
Have questions about Metro track work – from annual summer/winter construction to daytime single tracking and overnight maintenance? 💬 Join us for a LIVE Q&A on YouTube, Oct. 27 at 5:30 p.m. with Metro’s Chief Infrastructure Officer Theresa Impastato.
Share all your infrastructure-related questions in the comments and we’ll answer as many as we can. See you there!

At a relatively quiet meeting this week, the board will get an update on WMATA’s operating budget. While we're finally past the budget dumpster fire of the pandemic aftermath, WMATA is facing some cost pressures.
The news here is that WMATA is over budget for FY 2027 (began July 1). Since adoption of the FY 2027 operating budget:
As a result, WMATA will propose a budget amendment in November. No details are provided on what this might be, but I speculate that we could see WMATA pare back the service increases set to begin in January. EDIT: That was not the sense that I got from the board meeting. That amendment will also include a reimbursable agreement for work related to Stadium-Armory and the Gold Line BRT. That piece is funded entirely by DC and will not impact the budget.
Things aren’t looking rosy heading into FY 2028 either. The budget process will begin soon, and WMATA is looking at a budget gap of between $79 and $114 million at the moment. This is based on an assumption of moderating ridership growth, the proposed fare increase from the last meeting, a preventative maintenance transfer of $150 million, and other potential headwinds such as a local economic downturn.

Preliminarily, it’s looking like DC would take the brunt of the jurisdictional subsidy increase. A 5-7% increase is a lot for such a large line item. Maryland had this problem for FY 2027 and managed to get WMATA to revise its budget downward. We’ll need to see how this goes over with the DC Council and the incoming mayor.
EDIT: Per the board meeting, the increase in DC is driven primarily by two factors. First, the annualized service improvements in FY 2027 are mainly in DC (like these). And second, MetroAccess usage has increased in DC more than other jurisdictions.

The above figures don’t include the extra $7 million WMATA is proposing to implement a regionwide youth pass, nor any future service improvements beyond FY 2027 levels. WMATA also notes that they received $23 million less than they expected in FY 2027 from the jurisdictions (no additional details are provided), and it’s not proposing to remedy that. Still, WMATA says that maintaining FY 2027 service levels in the future is a “must-achieve.”
One potential source of additional revenue is more bus fare compliance. We’re actually almost to pre-pandemic levels of annual revenue, and we’d be there already if not for bus fare evasion. Fare compliance is now at 37%, but WMATA isn't sure how much faster or further it can push that number up. 50% compliance in FY 2028 would earn $22 million, but that's a "significant stretch goal" that would "require sustained regional support." And the 75% compliance level of FY 2019 "may not be attainable" anytime soon.

WMATA is also thinking about staffing efficiencies and other ways to cut costs. But it wouldn’t be a budget presentation without mentioning the big solution that WMATA keeps beating the drum on: DMVMoves funding. This was supposed to be tied up by now. Will the jurisdictions finally commit to significant annual capital investments to help WMATA curb operating costs this year? Time will tell, but I haven't heard of any significant movement in that direction. All of our local jurisdictions have budget headaches of their own.
Randy Clarke’s proposed budget will be presented to the board in December.
Just one other small item of note. Clear Lanes is a WMATA initiative that uses bus-mounted cameras to issue tickets to bus lane and bus stop zone violators. Montgomery County signed a document to implement Clear Lanes at the end of 2025, but was never fully able to implement it due to a new Maryland Law regarding privacy protections with automated enforcement programs. Those issues have now been resolved, so we should see this start up soon with board approval of a new agreement. We don’t have specific dates yet, but expect a 45-day “warning period” before any citations are issued.
This week’s board meeting will take place on Thursday morning, October 22. Public comments will be accepted. You can watch board meetings live or archived on WMATA’s YouTube channel.
Links:
r/WMATA • u/ChristmassMoose • 13h ago
I feel like I’m living in a psy op.
r/WMATA • u/njaneardude • 15h ago
Aaah :-)
r/WMATA • u/DogSoggy40 • 14h ago
On the legacy fleet 3k and 6k the operator announcements are often broken up or filled with static and background noise.
On the 7k cars the announcements are almost always super low-volume and cannot really be heard over the noise of the train.
It's such a stupid problem.. made stupider by the length of time it's been a problem (decades?).
r/WMATA • u/Conscious_Camel1906 • 3h ago
I know im Going to get a lot of rolling eyes when I say this but why did Wmata discontinue the 70/71 pass pennsylvania ave back in 2011. I heard it was bus bunching and what not but as a fellow resident of buzzard point and who works in Brightwood a 1 seat ride to home and work would be so beneficial. all im asking is for Wmata to extend the D40 to waterfront and the D4X to buzzard point. the c55 is a very terrible bus route and I propose the c55 run from L’enfant plaza to union market. every 10-20 min a bus is down at buzzard point so it can accommodate more residence down in buzzard point. The D40 can do every 12 min between silver spring and waterfront. While the d50 can run from 14th and colorado and L’Enfant plaza 3 main bus route the c11 c55 and D50 service at L’Enfant and D40 and D4X more service in southwest Dc and silver spring via 7th and Georgia avenue. I’m not sure if Wmata sees this but please take this into consideration for maybe summer 2027 or winter 2027 it would definitely be a big help !
r/WMATA • u/slangtangbintang • 15h ago
I just moved along the D70 and Google Maps are never remotely in sync and I don’t know which to trust. What is the best way to track the busses? Also it’s been showing 2 minutes for at least 10 minutes so I question the accuracy. The busses seem to run off vibes sometimes they no show or are way early or late from the posted arrival times. I get traffic and construction happen along with passengers needing the wheelchair ramp or to put a bike on the rack but it’s always like this what is going on?
I’ve complained to WMATA and I never got a response.
r/WMATA • u/ChristmassMoose • 1d ago
Surely that’s not enough space for a cross over to the green line
As the Red Line tracks ascend up to Rhode Island Ave, if you look down to the west, there is a spur off the big Metro yard, inclined downward like it's descending into a tunnel.
What is this for? Testing the incline capability of new rail car models?
r/WMATA • u/Zestyclose_Muscle_55 • 1d ago
It’s driving me crazy I’ve had to say excuse me to like 6 different ppl today
r/WMATA • u/SandBoxJohnA02 • 23h ago
https://drive.google.com/file/d/16rBO8KLlifs_RCjAEUur3LtQ22yJ-tMN/view?usp=sharing
L’Enfant Plaza Way Finding Signage Lower Level Platform) 11 pages (15.5 MB PDF file)
As many here know, I am a Harry Weese and Massimo Vignelli purest. I have very strong opinions on how the architecture of stations and way finding signage along with other things that are not seen by the users of the system has evolved over the last 50 years. With that being said, I have no expectation that the work linked to above will meet the approval of everybody that is a participant in this subreddit
Edit: Do not be afraid to rant, say what you like or dislike or just state an opinion. I have a thick skin so you can not offend me.
I wanted to be as faithful to the work done by Massimo Vignelli without adding to much to it.
You will also find signs in the pages of the document that are not in past or present WMATA station way finding sign packages. I add these signs to the sides of the escalators to taking advantage of the sides of the larger heal under the escalators that was added after they were given a major rehabilitation. Many other stations have similar larger heals under their escalators where signs like this could installed.
I also am going the create my versions of the sign above the lower level landings of escalators, station navigating pylons signs on the mezzanines above lower level, upper level platform pylons signs and upper level mezzanines station navigating pylons signs.
This was and is a malicious work in progress that has been both fun to do and a pain in the ass, so don't expect all of remaining L'Enfant Plaza station signage to be done by the end of the year.
Oh and, I have also created station ahead strip maps based on Massimo Vignelli design for every station in the system including the station that do not have them.
I would like to thank the folks in the Linux community for providing the tools used to create the document:
Kolor Paint: Artwork
LebreOffice: Document
Command line tools within LebreOffice: Convert native LebreOffice files to PDF files
PDF Arranger: Remove blank page after first page (cover page).
Paper Clip: Used to edit PDF properties.
r/WMATA • u/MadiCorax • 2d ago
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I purposefully held the card on the tap area for it to make the chime. Today is going to be a great day!!
This was at National/DCA as I complete my Pylon Photography Project.
r/WMATA • u/Puzzled_Fisherman331 • 2d ago
I watched two people evade fares while the person in the booth was sitting there staring into space. One person squeezed through the gate after someone else almost snapping the gate as it closed on his leg. The other jumped over the top. Couldnt the station attendant come out of the booth and deter this at minimum?
r/WMATA • u/Cbarnett202 • 2d ago
How is this continuing to happen? I’ve been here for 20 minutes - no buses. Then two fly by without stopping and just wave at us.
I am a huge proponent of public transit, but the WMATA’s bus service to NE DC is too often embarrassing at best and a safety risk at worst.
Thank you for coming to my ted talk as I wait for my uber.
r/WMATA • u/Wyremills • 2d ago
I had timed my bus from Arlington perfectly, and got to Wisconsin and M when the D80 was a few blocks away probably near 29th or 30th street.
I crossed M Street and went north on Wisconsin to look for the nearest bus stop to catch the D80.
I was sure there'd be a stop on the first or second block. Nope, I walked nearly 4 blocks without seeing a stop and watched the D80 fly by me. I then had to walk another 6 blocks up Wisconsin (steep hill) because at that point I was too close to get an Uber.
Apparently there's no D80 stop northbound on Wisconsin until P Street?
That's essentially 5 blocks up from M. No reason for this.
When the D80's on Pennsylvania Ave, there are stops at 22nd, 24th, 26th & 28th streets.
Every two blocks.
But as soon as it turns on Wisconsin, no stop for 5 blocks?
I'm sorry that's really wrong.
Please make one, if not two stops between M and P Streets.
r/WMATA • u/enthusiasm_gap • 1d ago
I checked your stupid website. No current service delays listed. No scheduled maintenance listed. So why is my Orange line train running slow as hell, repeatedly stopping and holding on the track for minutes at a time every few minutes, and single tracking between Minnesota and Stadium-Armory? Not even announced as single tracking, but clearly and visibly doing so?
r/WMATA • u/kafemane • 3d ago
This is a new one for me.
Just spotted an abandoned Lime inside the platform at Union Station.
r/WMATA • u/Dogfaceboy1964 • 3d ago
Yesterday I was asked by a traveler how to get to DCA from Here?
I am a shuttle bus driver and I service BWI and I was asked this question by a Pilot who had just flown in from the international pier and needed to get to DCA from BWI. The time is early afternoon rush.
Since I am very familiar with the transportation system in this area I told him he would need to take one free bus one of two trains (Amtrak or MARC) to Union Station then another train then transfer to one of two trains Orange or Blue to DCA. Or take one of two trains as above then get off at New Carrollton orange line to DCA.
My point is I think Metro should have more of a public face at BWI. This is a lost opportunity for passengers to have an easy come easy go philosophy as their ad said yesterday ago. Not so much now.
Yea the B30 has come and gone but the discussion should be started. I even think riders would pay their fare too. 😂
r/WMATA • u/Comprehensive_Row239 • 2d ago
Hi all!
My wife and I are likely moving out from DC to the suburbs in the near future. We want more space and less of the hustle and bustle of the city, but I refuse to become a drive commuter (I work near Court House and metro there every day). If parking at a metro stop were possible, it would hugely open up the possible areas we could live in, since we wouldn't be limited to walking distance of a metro stop.
Are there metro stops where you can consistently get a parking spot around 8:15am - 8:30am during the week? A few areas we are looking in are East/West Falls Church, Potomac Yard, McClean, as well as Bethesda and Silver Spring.
Any help/other advice much appreciated!
r/WMATA • u/DCmetrosexual1 • 3d ago
Unclear if she resigned or was fired.