Gov. Larry Hogan’s administration has unveiled a six-year transportation budget that proposes reducing spending by $2.9 billion due to steep declines in revenue associated with the Covid-19 pandemic.
The draft consolidated transportation program published Tuesday, covering fiscal years 2021-2026, totals $13.4 billion, an 18% cut from $16.3 billion in the prior six-year budget. The proposal recommends $98 million in budget cuts for the current fiscal year that began July 1, including reduction of MARC train commuter rail service between D.C. and Baltimore.
The changes would eliminate three weekday northbound trains from Union Station to Baltimore’s Penn Station — those at 7:10 a.m., 8:20 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. One southbound train that departs at 8:50 a.m. from Penn Station would be eliminated.
Preserved projects include the troubled construction of the Purple Line in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, replacement of the Metro SubwayLink cars and its signal system, a mid-life overhaul of light rail vehicles and bus purchasing.
