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COG briefs Montgomery County on "DMV Moves" plan; $460M regional capital target discussed
Summary
Council received a briefing from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments on the DMV Moves task force, which recommends regional coordination and a package of capital investments (COG cited $460 million in capital needs, Maryland share ~$152 million) and planning to align bus corridors, fare systems and procurement across the region.
The Council heard a briefing Jan. 13 from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments on the DMV Moves regional transit initiative, which examined coordination among WMATA, regional bus operators and other transit providers and explored sustainable capital funding options.
Clark Mercer, director at COG, summarized the task force findings and process: a working group of governments, community partners and labor looked at operating and capital needs and how jurisdictions could shoulder their shares. "That number—$460,000,000—that is on the capital side," Mercer said, and he noted Maryland's share under current formulas would be roughly $152,000,000. COG staff said deep dives reduced Metro's short‑term operating gap close to zero while capital needs remained significant.
COG emphasized two workstreams: operational coordination (data and fare alignment, common route identifiers, regional bus corridors) and capital funding. Mercer said the task force debated a single regional dedicated tax but the three bill‑payers (Maryland, D.C., Virginia) preferred to find state‑specific solutions for their shares. The group also recommended that the Transportation Planning Board take ownership of specific implementation items and be held accountable at regular intervals.
Councilmembers praised the collaboration and stressed the importance of holding state delegates and senators engaged. Councilmember Kate Stewart, who served on the task force, urged jurisdictional support for the pending Maryland legislation carried by Delegate Mark Corman and Senator Augustine.
Council President Natalie Fanny Gonzalez said she will circulate a draft resolution and urged coordination with state leaders, including Delegate Corman, to build a path for funding and accountability.
Next steps: county leaders will refine a council resolution, COG will continue public briefings across jurisdictions and the task force's bill will be considered in Maryland’s General Assembly this session; funding would take effect in FY2029 under the bill sponsors' timeline if enacted.
