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Washington Metro Proposes 11% Fare Hike, With Rides Up to $7.50
WMATA is proposing an 11.1% fare hike for FY2028 — rail fares up to $7.50, bus to $2.50 — plus free rides for youth ages 5–18. Earliest effective date: July 2027.
Why it matters
Metro riders across the D.C. region could face the first systemwide fare increase since 2024. The proposal is still early-stage — nothing has been approved — but it sets the direction for the fiscal 2028 budget debate.
Full report
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is proposing an 11.1% fare increase for fiscal 2028. Under the plan, Metrorail fares would rise from the current $2.25–$6.75 range to $2.50–$7.50, and Metrobus fares would go from $2.25 to $2.50.
Metro's Finance and Capital Committee is scheduled to discuss the proposal on October 8. Officials project the increase would bring in an extra $40–45 million in annual revenue, but cost about 8 million trips.
The same proposal includes a universal youth fare: free rides on Metrorail and Metrobus for all children ages 5–18 who live in D.C., Maryland or Virginia, estimated to cost $7 million and add 900,000 trips. It also outlines changes to station parking fees ($3/$5/$7 depending on lot usage), an end to the late-night discount on weeknights, and removal of the $3.75 weekend cap.
The last systemwide fare increase took effect in 2024 (+12.5%). In April 2026, the Metro Board approved a $4.8 billion fiscal 2027 budget with no fare increase. Under the timeline, the general manager releases the proposed fiscal 2028 budget in December, public hearings follow in winter, and a final decision comes in spring 2027 — July 2027 is the earliest the new fares could take effect.
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