Metro News Release

For immediate release: July 14, 2005

Metro details Riders Advisory Council

Metro riders will get a chance to weigh in on how the agency manages bus, rail and paratransit service.

Transit officials Thursday detailed the makeup of a proposed Riders Advisory Council, which will provide rider input to Metro managers and the agency’s Board of Directors on a broad range of operational and budgetary issues.

"This is one of a series of initiatives, I announced earlier this year to give riders more say in how Metro is run," said Dana Kauffman, Metro Board chairman. "Among other things, we’ve added a public comment period at Board meetings, posted Board and committee materials on the Web site and simulcast the meetings on the Internet."

Under the proposal, the Council would be made up of 18 riders, six each from Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. There would be bus, subway and paratransit riders in the group. The council would be made up of commuters, occasional riders and those who are transit dependent. Members would serve staggered three year terms.

"The goal is to form a council that represents an accurate cross-section of our customers," said Leona Agouridis, assistant general manager of customer communications.

The public is invited to comment on the council’s proposed bylaws between Monday, July 18 and August 16. The proposed bylaws are posted on Metro’s Web site: www.metroopensdoors.com. Comments can be sent to raccomments@wmata.com

or Debra Johnson, Director of Project Communications, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 600 5th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20001.

Interested riders may apply for council positions. Metro Board members from Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia will select council members to represent their jurisdiction. The applications then will be forwarded to the full Board for approval.

Applications are expected to be available in late September and due in mid-October. The Board is expected to name the council members in December.

So far this year, the agency has held more town hall meetings, provided e-mail contact for board members, revised its public records policy and enhanced board standards of conduct.

News release issued on July 14, 2005.