Metro riders may have to pay higher fares in the coming years as the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority wants to raise prices to keep up with inflation.
In a meeting Thursday, the WMATA Finance and Capital Committee will review a possible 11.1% inflation-based fare increase for Metrobus and Metrorail starting in fiscal 2028, according to board documents. The move, proposed by WMATA officials, would raise the cost of riding the Metro to between $2.50 and $7.50, up from the current $2.25 to $6.75 price range.
The fare hike would bring in an expected $40 million to $45 million more in revenue, while causing riders to take 8 million fewer trips, according to board documents. The proposal also outlines a framework to eliminate cash payments for bus travel in an effort to modernize the payment system.
“Collectively, both the proposed fare strategy and potential FY2028 fare changes are intended to improve customer convenience, support long-term revenue sustainability, enhance operational flexibility and position Metro for continued regional leadership in transit fare innovation,” WMATA’s proposal said.
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The last time WMATA raised the fare was in 2024, increasing the price by 12.5%.
WMATA will also ask the committee to review a universal youth fare program that would offer all children ages 5 to 18 who live in the District, Maryland or Virginia free rides on the Metrobus and Metrorail. The proposal said that it would cost $7 million and add 900,000 trips.
The committee will not take any action on the proposal on Thursday. WMATA officials recommend the Metro Board of Directors schedule a public hearing to collect feedback before implementing the changes.
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