How B 24-0429 changes current law

Compared against the D.C. Code as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes transit subsidy programs and funds for fare-free Metrobus services, significantly expanding the roles and responsibilities of the District Department of Transportation.

• D.C. Official Code § 50-921.02

  (h)(1) Within 60 days of the effective date of the Metro for D.C. Amendment Act of 2022, approved by the Committee of the Whole on December 6, 2022 (Committee Print of Bill 24-429), the Director shall enter into a fare buydown agreement with the Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority to facilitate: (A) The provision of fare-free Metrobus transportation within the District; and (B)(i) Daily 24-hour Metrobus service on at least 12 Metrobus lines in the District, with a maximum of 20 minutes between any scheduled bus arrival at any stop. (ii) The Metrobus lines identified in subparagraph (B)(i) of this paragraph shall be determined based on high ridership, with an emphasis on serving major transportation corridors and activity centers. (2) The Director may amend the fare buydown agreement required by paragraph (1) of this subsection or enter in additional fare buydown agreements in order to expand the availability of Metrobus service within the District.

  This change mandates the Director to create a fare buy-down agreement for fare-free Metrobus travel and expanded service.

• D.C. Official Code § 50-921.02

  TITLE VI. TRANSIT SUBSIDIES FOR DISTRICT RESIDENTS. Sec. 11t. Definitions. For the purposes of this title, the term: (1) “DDOT” means the District Department of Transportation. (2) “Participant” means an individual who has applied and been determined eligible for the Program within the prior 12 months, pursuant to section 11w. (3) “Program” means the District Resident Transit Subsidy Program, established by section 11u. (4) “WMATA” means the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

  This adds a new title defining terms related to the new transit subsidy program.

• D.C. Official Code § 50-921.02

  Sec. 11u. Transit Subsidy Program established. (a) There is established a District Resident Transit Subsidy Program, which shall be administered by DDOT, to provide subsidies to participants for travel on any transportation that accepts payment through a SmarTrip card issued by WMATA or a similar transit card utilized by WMATA or any other agency in the District or another jurisdiction.

  This creates a new transit subsidy program for eligible District residents.

• D.C. Official Code § 50-921.02

  Sec. 11z. Fare-Free Bus Fund established. (a) There is established as a special fund the Fare-Free Bus Service Fund (“Fund”), which shall be administered by the Mayor in accordance with subsection (c) of this section.

  This establishes a new fund to support fare-free bus services.

• D.C. Official Code § 50-921.02

  Sec. 11aa. Bus Service Enhancement Fund established. (a) There is established as a special fund the Bus Service Enhancement Fund (“Fund”), which shall be administered by DDOT in accordance with subsection (c) of this section.

  This establishes another fund intended to enhance bus services.