Metro News Release
For immediate release: September 23, 2005
Application process for Riders Advisory Council begins Monday
Metro is looking for bus and rail riders and MetroAccess users to be part of its Riders Advisory Council.
The Metro Board approved the creation of the Council yesterday. Applications will be available beginning Monday on Metro’s Website http://www.wmata.com/riding/rac_application.cfm rail stations, on buses and MetroAccess vehicles. They can also be picked up at the Metro Center and Pentagon sales offices, the Lost and Found office, at Metro’s headquarters, 600 5th St NW, Washington, D.C., and by calling 202-962-1034. The deadline to submit an application is 5 p.m. on October 17.
The Council will be made up of 21 riders with six each from Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. There will be two at-large seats and a third will be held by the head of Metro’s Elderly and Disabled Transportation Advisory Committee. There will be a cross-section of bus, subway and MetroAccess riders in the group. The council will be made up of commuters, occasional riders and those who are transit dependent, but not Metro employees or elected officials. Members would serve staggered three-year terms and hold monthly public meetings.
"I’m looking for folks who are willing to roll up their sleeves, interact with riders and engage in deep thought," said Metro Board Chairman Dana Kauffman, who represents Fairfax County.
A selection committee from each of the areas will be made up of at least one Board member from that particular jurisdiction. The panels will come up with a list of candidates, then the full Board will select members from the applicant pool by the end of the year.
The Council is part of a series of initiatives to improve communications with riders. The agency also has held more town hall meetings, provided e-mail contact for board members, added a public comment period to meetings and posted Board presentations on the Web site.
News release issued on September 23, 2005.