Commission forming to study WMATA governance

Yesterday, the Council of Governments voted to participate in a Greater Washington Board of Trade-organized “independent review” of WMATA governance.

The Board of Trade, an association of businesses across the region, will nominate some “private sector” people for the panel, and COG will select some “public sector” folks. By participating in this process, COG will not only ensure that all parts of the region have a voice, but that the process remains open to the public.

As COG and the Board of Trade select their representatives, I hope they will also look to the riders and rider advocacy community. WMATA’s governance first and foremost affects those who use the system regularly, who analyze the policy implications of each Board decision, who pushed elected officials to support Metro, and who participated in the many public hearings on the budget.

WMATA’s governance could improve in a number of ways. It’s clear that in several areas their costs are too high, and the Board nor the previous General Manager successfully restrained these costs. That’s part of why I suggested WMATA look to the private sector for its next General Manager, and avoid being constrained by the way things have always been done in the transit industry.

Board members say they often don’t receive information themselves about key issues at WMATA, and there are different opinions on whether the Board should extremely hands-on on specific details of WMATA operations, or simply leave most decisions except the most major ones to staff. Much of the budget discussion always takes place at the last minute.

Political concerns frequently overshadow policy considerations. It’d be great to limit the politics in Board conversations. At the same time, it’s also important that the Board listen to and respond to rider concerns. Our region’s transit systems are a vital everyday part of life for a great many residents of the region.

How do you think WMATA’s governance could improve at the top?