Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)

Washington’s Metro transit system covers the region with 110 miles of subway track and hundreds of bus routes. Yet the aging system has suffered from neglect, a negligent attitude toward safety and a lack of dedicated funding. Riders face a constant stream of malfunctions and resulting delays, and the prospect of paying increased amounts for their trips. Now Metro is pursuing a $5 billion , six-year capital plan to bring the transportation network back into what officials call “ a state of good repair.” The work includes recommendations made by the National Transportation Safety Board in past years to improve the safety of the system, but questions constantly linger: Are officials making the best use of the resources at their disposal, and when will passengers see some relief?