Subsidized Transit

The DC Transit system’s (bus and subway) annual budget is $1.56 billion. Half the money comes from fares, half from subsidies. About 675,000 roundtrips are taken daily. That works out to an annual subsidy of $1,100 per rider. Capitalized, that subsidy stream is $25,000! This means the System loses so much it could give each rider a car. Before you scowl, however, remember roads, gas and parking are also, heavily subsidized.