Follow-up Letter to Metro
May 17, 2005

The Hon. Dana Kauffman
Chairman
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
6121 Franconia Road
Alexandria, VA 22310

Dear Chairman Kauffman and Members of the Board:

The Sierra Club has always been a staunch, resolute proponent of a well-run public transportation system. The stronger our local transit system is, the better the riding experience for Metro customers. The more satisfied riders are, the more likely we will see families throughout our region depend less on their cars and depend more on Metro - reducing traffic congestion and pollution, and protecting the environment.

Last December, we unveiled our 10 point proposal to give riders a meaningful voice in Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) operations. In light of recent news coverage of mishaps and mismanagement, it is vitally important that WMATA demonstrate it is more responsive to the riding public. As Mr. Kauffman took on the role of chair of the WMATA on February 17th, he declared at a news conference, "We must . give our riders an active role in shaping the future of Metro."

Mr. Kauffman also said on February 17th that the agency must "regain our standing in the community." That obviously requires providing excellent service. It also requires that WMATA give riders a meaningful role in shaping the future of Metro, which can help the agency pinpoint necessary areas of improvement.

Members of the Board of Directors joined with Mr. Kauffman at the news conference as he promised that the Board will listen to Metro customers. Thanks to Mr. Kauffman's leadership and the support of the Board, a positive beginning is underway:

The first-ever public comment period during the April 21st Board meeting was an important step in promoting public involvement in the agency's decision-making process.

Metro's web site now includes Board meeting agendas and presentations and an email address for the Board. Web casts of Board meetings will strengthen public confidence in WMATA's openness.

The first of three Metro Town Hall Meetings throughout the region was held in Falls Church. Former Board Chair Robert Smith deserves real praise for initiating Metro's Town Hall meetings - a milestone toward fostering a change in culture.

We do see mechanical trouble spots regarding the accessibility of the Board to citizens and also setting up a credible Riders Advisory Council (RAC). Resolving these issues in a way that increases public confidence in the agency could go a long way toward helping secure the stable financial support necessary for a first-class transit system.

Accessibility of the Board for Citizens

"Full" Board Meetings:

The public comment guidelines posted on the agency's website do a disservice to the Board and the agency, and send the wrong message to the public in the following ways:

Citizens can speak only four times a year for a total of eight minutes; The chair can extend the 20-minute period prior to its commencement, but not after; Persons who have not signed up prior to the meeting cannot speak. This restriction is not justified.

Citizens are explicitly discouraged from asking questions of the Board during the public comment period. The public is not provided an opportunity at any public WMATA meeting to directly ask a question of the Board. It is important that the policy clearly allow questions to be asked of the Board during the public comment period.

These policies are too restrictive and do not give riders enough opportunity to address the Board.

Board Committee Meetings:

Board members have asserted that most of the agency's business is determined at Board committee meetings. Consistent with this recognition, public comment should be allowed at Board committee meetings. We believe this will not only provide WMATA with more opportunities to hear feedback from riders, but will also take pressure off the monthly Board meetings as the only opportunity for public comment.

We also note that some "committees" are comprised of all members of the Board - yet do not provide any opportunity for public comment.

Email Communication:

Providing only one email address for 12 Board members and alternates fails to connect riders with a real person. Board members should be accessible to riders and the general public. Also, it is inefficient for staff to transmit or print out email messages for the intended recipient, and confidentiality is damaged. The web site for the District of Columbia Board of Education provides easily-accessible, uniform email addresses for all of its members at: http://www.k12.dc.us/dcps/boe/boecontact.html.

Establishing a Meaningful Voice for Riders

An Effective, Credible Riders Advisory Council: The cornerstone of our proposal is the establishment of a Riders Advisory Council (RAC) that is representative of riders of Metro, and which will endure to advise the WMATA Board on ways to improve MetroRail, MetroBus and MetroAccess, and pursue the following goals:

High rider awareness of RAC and of opportunities it provides for riders to make their voice heard; Strong trust by riders in an open decision-making process by WMATA reflecting riders' concerns; Improvements in service; High level of rider satisfaction with WMATA; and High level of public confidence in WMATA. When the RAC speaks, the public must know that it is hearing the representative voice of riders - not the voice of the Board, and not the voice of WMATA employees. But we are concerned that WMATA will establish a council that gives Board members and agency staff an imposing role in controlling its day-to-day operations. We see two necessary steps in the establishment of the RAC to ensure that the Council functions as a genuine, representative voice for riders:

1) Jurisdiction Appointment of RAC Members:

The Council's standing with the public will be affected by who appoints its members. If the Council members are appointed by the jurisdictions which appoint WMATA Board members, it will help meet a necessary threshold of credibility with the public. But if the Board makes the appointments, the RAC will be subject to being seen as an extension of the Board instead of as the genuine voice of riders.

2) Independence of RAC Staff:

If RAC staff are chosen and supervised by WMATA employees, it will fundamentally hinder the Council's very purpose as the voice of riders. When the RAC and WMATA have different perspectives, RAC staff will have a conflict between representing the Riders Advisory Council and acting on behalf of their WMATA coworkers and supervisor.

The word "customers" appeared nine times in Mr. Kauffman's February 17th remarks, reflecting his commitment to make WMATA more responsive to riders. In addition to the proposed Riders Advisory Council having "riders" in its name, it is essential that the Council provide riders a truly meaningful voice at the agency. The greater the opportunity for the RAC to air riders' concerns unfettered, the less frustration there will be for riders looking for other ways to vent their concerns, and the more satisfaction there will be with the results. It is our hope that the final RAC proposal will be one deserving of Sierra Club's support.

We look forward to your response and to working with you further on these and other issues that affect our region.

Sincerely,

Dennis Jaffe
Transportation Committee
D.C. Chapter, Sierra Club

cc: Richard White, General Manager