Coalition for Smarter Growth Statement on WMATA Governance
Coalition for Smarter Growth Statement on WMATA Governance
For Immediate Release
January 10, 2011
Contact:
Cheryl Cort, CSG, 202-244-4408 ext 112 or 202-251-7516 (cell)
Stewart Schwartz, CSG, 703-599-6437 (cell)
The Coalition for Smarter Growth agrees with today’s report from the state Departments of Transportation that we do not need a new super-board and that we should continue a process to evaluate governance reforms. However, we are concerned that the ongoing process dominated by the state Departments of Transportation excludes local elected officials, especially from the northern Virginia jurisdictions that pay over 70% of Virginia’s share of Metro’s operating funding.
Moreover, like the recent 45 day study period and the BOT/COG task force, the proposal for an ongoing Departments of Transportation-led process appears to exclude Metro riders, civic and non-profit groups from the table. We need a more accountable and transparent process for improving governance for the ‘nation’s subway system.’ These non-business, non-governmental stakeholders need a seat at the table.
We recommend the following evaluation by David Alpert of Greater Greater Washington: http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/8789/dot-heads-to-take-charge-of-wmata-governance-reform/
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