Metro’s annual budget sets transportation priorities across L.A. County for the coming year. The $8-billion budget for the 2022 fiscal year, which will be effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022, will be presented to the Metro Board of Directors for approval this month.

Please see our prior Source post on the budget by scrolling down to the bottom of this post.

Due to the ongoing pandemic and to be as safe as possible, we will receive comments from the public on the proposed budget via email, mail, virtual Public Hearing on May 19 and at th Board Meeting, before the Board takes action on the annual budget. 

This year’s proposed budget focuses on restoring service to pre-pandemic levels and reflects Metro’s intent to receive your comments in a transparent and comprehensive process. If you are unable to join the virtual hearing or meeting, you can also submit your comments via regular mail or email up until 5 p.m. the day before the hearing or the Board meeting to the address below:

Metro

Board Secretary’s Office

Attn: Christina Goins

One Gateway Plaza, MS 99-3-1

Los Angeles, CA 90012-2932

Email: goinsc@metro.net

Budget Public Hearing​

Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. – you may join the call 5 minutes prior to the start of the meeting.

• Dial-in: 888.251.2949 and enter the codes for either English or Spanish:​
• English Access Code: 8231160#​
• Spanish Access Code: 4544724#​
• Livestream: boardagendas.metro.net​
• Public comment available via phone only
• To give public comment on an item, enter #2 (pound two) when that item is taken up by the Board. Please note that the live video feed lags about 30 seconds behind the actual meeting. There is no lag on the public comment dial-in line.​
• If you are unable to join the live meeting, we will also be taking written public comments via mail or email the day before the Budget Hearing. If you would like to submit comments prior to the hearing, comments must be received by 5pm on May 18.

Metro Board Meeting

Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 10 a.m.​ – you may join the call 5 minutes prior to the start of the meeting.

• Dial-in: 888.251.2949 and enter​ the codes for either English or Spanish:
• English Access Code: 8231160#​
• Spanish Access Code: 4544724#​
• Livestream: boardagendas.metro.net​
• Public comment available via phone only
• Public comment on all numbered agenda items will be taken at the beginning of the meeting. General public comment will be heard after the conclusion of the non-consent agenda. To give public comment, enter #2 (pound-two) when the comment period opens. Please note that the live video feed lags about 30 seconds behind the actual meeting. There is no lag on the public comment dial-in line.
• If you are unable to join the live meeting, we will also be taking written public comments via mail or email the day before the Board Meeting. If you would like to submit comments prior to the meeting, comments must be received by 5pm on May 26.

Here is the Source post from last week with more details on the budget proposal:

pdf download here

pdf download here

Metro released its budget Tuesday for the 2022 Fiscal Year that runs between this coming July 1 and June 30, 2022. A presentation and the budget book are above.

The Metro Board of Directors will consider the budget as part of their May round of meetings. The Metro Board will hold a budget hearing at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 19, and the full Metro Board will consider the budget at their meeting at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 27.

Some highlights from the budget:

•The proposed $8.0-billion budget for FY22 is balanced and focuses on recovery from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic through an equity lens.

•Service restoration is a priority as Metro looks to restore bus and rail service to pre-pandemic levels with the NextGen Bus Plan fully implemented in FY22 to support ridership recovery.

•The Crenshaw/LAX and Regional Connector projects are poised to begin pre-revenue operations and testing that will ultimately lead to the offering of more transit options across Los Angeles County.

•The introduction of new initiatives for public safety and homelessness including increased Metro staff presence at facilities and on Metro vehicles, elevator attendants at stations, a call point security program with blue light call boxes and efforts to address the unhoused on Metro’s transit system.

•Continued investment in the region’s future including the ongoing construction of the D Line (Purple) Subway extension, the L Line (Gold) Foothill Extension, the Airport Metro Connector, Interstate-5 North Capacity Enhancements and other projects throughout the region.

Critical to the development of the FY22 Budget, and the planned restoration of service, has been the support provided through the Federal Coronavirus Relief and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA).

This isn’t just good news for Metro — but for the entire transit industry across the region and nation. Thanks to the accelerated roll out of COVID-19 vaccinations and an anticipated gradual but steady economic recovery, agency finances are in better shape than a year ago this time.