Issues Being Faced by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
CED-79-52: Published: Apr 10, 1979. Publicly Released: Apr 10, 1979.
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The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is contructing and operating the planned 101-mile national capital area's rapid-rail transit system and has operated the region's regular route bus service since 1973. The review of the Authority's policies and procedures for providing these services reported on several aspects of the Authority's operation and financing.
Metro attributes almost one-half of the increased costs to schedule delays and cost escalation but has not identified what portion of the increase is due only to inflation. Not included in the Authority's 6.8 billion estimate are the estimated $3 billion of financing costs associated with the $1 billion in revenue bonds sold during 1972 to 1975. Accounting principles do not require the Authority to include financing as part of project costs. Future interest costs should be considered part of operating expenses rather than as project costs. There are five main issues facing the Authority and local jurisdictions: whether costs should be paid through rider fares or area taxes; the effect of Federal funding being less than Metro says it needs; the need for a revenue source dedicated to pay the costs of mass transportation; the issue surrounding parking at rail stations and subsidized employee parking; and handicapped accessibility. A construction schedule and financial plan endorsed by all groups would make the total rail system operational in 1987. However, the Department of Transportation has told the Authority that it can only provide $275 million annually of the $400 million the project needs. Jurisdictional officials say they intend to ask Congress for the funding.
Mar 2, 2021
COVID-19 Pandemic:
Preliminary Observations on Efforts toward and Factors Affecting the Aviation Industry's RecoveryGAO-21-412T: Published: Mar 2, 2021. Publicly Released: Mar 2, 2021.
Feb 18, 2021
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General Aviation:
Stakeholders Expressed Mixed Views of FAA Policies on Private Pilot Expense SharingGAO-21-285: Published: Feb 18, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 18, 2021.
Jan 28, 2021
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Unmanned Aircraft Systems:
FAA Could Strengthen Its Implementation of a Drone Traffic Management System by Improving Communication and Measuring PerformanceGAO-21-165: Published: Jan 28, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 28, 2021.
Jan 7, 2021
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Aircraft Noise:
Better Information Sharing Could Improve Responses to Washington, D.C. Area Helicopter Noise ConcernsGAO-21-200: Published: Jan 7, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 7, 2021.
Dec 18, 2020
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Automated Technologies:
DOT Should Take Steps to Ensure Its Workforce Has Skills Needed to Oversee SafetyGAO-21-197: Published: Dec 18, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 18, 2020.
Dec 17, 2020
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Emergency Responder Safety:
States and DOT Are Implementing Actions to Reduce Roadside CrashesGAO-21-166: Published: Dec 17, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 17, 2020.
Nov 24, 2020
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Reagan National Airport:
Information on Effects of Federal Statute Limiting Long-Distance FlightsGAO-21-176: Published: Nov 24, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 24, 2020.
Nov 19, 2020
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Federal-Aid Highways:
States and Local Governments Reported Benefits to Federal Highway Fund Swapping, but Impacts Cannot be Definitively DeterminedGAO-21-88: Published: Oct 20, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 19, 2020.
Nov 16, 2020
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Aviation Certification:
FAA Needs to Strengthen Its Design Review Process for Small AirplanesGAO-21-85: Published: Nov 16, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 16, 2020.
Nov 9, 2020
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Aviation Safety:
FAA's Office of Aviation Safety Should Take Additional Actions to Ensure Its Workforce Has Needed SkillsGAO-21-94: Published: Nov 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 9, 2020.
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