Metro News Release

For immediate release: February 19, 2004

New Metro Board Chairman Robert Smith Outlines His Vision for the Year

Metro Board Chairman Robert Smith took the gavel at his first Metro Board meeting today as he began to serve his one-year term as Chairman of the Metro Board of Directors. Mr. Smith used the opportunity to outline his goals and vision for the year ahead. His comments follow. " Like Jim Graham last month, I want you to know that I am grateful for the privilege to serve as Chair, and I look forward to a great year ahead for Metro and for public transportation throughout our region. Mr. Graham reminded us what a difficult year the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) had experienced in 2003, and I would not be honest if I were to predict that 2004 will be any easier. We face clear challenges in the year ahead, and perhaps others that remain unknown to us at this time. " Nevertheless, I am confident that we" re up to the challenges that lie ahead. I believe this Board possesses a wealth of intellect and wisdom that will help WMATA face whatever tests may come. Indeed, I hope the challenges actually spur us on to question the status quo and find ways to do things better. " Perhaps the clearest and most immediate challenge is a budget deficit of $28 to $36 million dollars. We recognize that fare and fee increases will be necessary to address this deficit. However, we will also continue to look for ways to cut operating costs even further. " An even greater dilemma ahead though, is that we face a short-term crunch in our operating budget at the very same time we" re seeking to address the long-term funding shortage of $1.5 billion in our capital budget. It is imperative that we get financial control of the system we are operating without delay and before we venture into unsustainable new directions. Every action must be considered in the spirit of cost containment and with first regard for the 103- mile system. Our commitment to Metro Matters must be unwavering. Indeed, it will bring higher efficiency to the system with the addition of new rail cars and eight car trains. " Regardless the trials that lay ahead, we will be achieving some major milestones during this year, and there will be plenty of cause for celebration. We expect to see the opening of three new Metrorail stations " Largo Town Center and Morgan Boulevard on the Blue Line extension, and New York Ave/Florida Ave-Gallaudet U on the Red Line. We will take the first step toward operating eight-car trains. We will add several new parking facilities and start to rehabilitate others. And, we will extend the reach of the SmarTrip® fare system. " The urge to allow this system to grow is probably not forever containable in measured steps like those I just noted. However, to go to Dulles, to reach the neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River, to run bus rapid transit (BRT) down K Street, to develop the Bi-County Transitway or the Corridor Cities Transitway will necessitate that we view the system in new light. The operating formulas that fund our core-focused, essentially bi-modal system are not readily appropriate for a 21st century system that seeks to become far reaching and multi-modal. I hope that after we resolve the issues of the FY " 05 budget, we can begin a dialogue to develop a new formula structure that addresses the incorporation of new modes, that serve greater distances, and venture into new jurisdictions that do not monetarily participate in WMATA today. " New communities seek the rewards of the system we have created. Throughout the region, Metrorail has meant rejuvenation to communities. In Alexandria, in Arlington, in Fairfax, in the District, and yes, in my home--Montgomery County--new visionary development has accompanied the arrival of Metro. Unfortunately, our partners in Prince George’s County have not shared in the same jubilation. With the proposals we have received from last year’s development solicitation, I am confident that a strong effort is being made to bring the promise of economic return on investment in this system to the people of Prince George’s County. I have sincere hope that our real estate department will make every effort possible to ensure that on many occasions throughout this year we will be announcing the start of development at our Prince George’s County stations. " While I think everyone understands the importance of the rail operation, when we refer to our ’system,’ it clearly includes Metrobus as well. We need to continue our efforts to evaluate the efficiency of our bus system and to enhance its usability with real time passenger information. Furthermore, the region’s environment demands that we maintain a commitment to use of the latest technology with regard to our use of energy. I understand that next month our staff will be prepared to respond to my call for an evaluation of our system’s use of bus fuel technology prior to moving forward with a modernization of our bus fleet in the state of Maryland. I hope that we will be open to the benefits of a multi-fuel source bus fleet and that we will not handcuff ourselves to a single source of energy as we renew our bus fleet. " In all of the questions we entertain, in all of the decisions we render, we must not lose sight of the fact that there are real people, a public, who are served by our actions. Accordingly, I believe that we need to create a process that gives the public a better forum to make its views known, to interject new ideas based on its transit experience. Currently my jurisdictional staff is working to develop a proposal to hold a town meeting this fall that would allow transit users from around the region a forum to offer its ideas and comments before we begin to consider the basis for development of the FY" 06 budget. I think that our relationship with the public will greatly improve if we receive their input at times other than when we intend to raise fares, cut service, or erect a new edifice in their backyard. " Even in the face of our economic challenges, there remains a great deal of hope in our ability to make practical progress to advance this system. I am thankful to the Governor, and Secretary of Transportation of Maryland, and to all of you for granting me your confidence in the year ahead. I look forward to leading WMATA’s Board in a strenuous but collegial endeavor to maintain Metro’s excellent track record and its high standards of service to its customers. In this effort, I ask for the help, wisdom, and collective good will of every person in this room. If this region can work together to build a system such as this, certainly we can unite to sustain it. With that said, we have an abundance of work ahead, so let us begin."

News release issued on February 19, 2004.