Metro's Response to Post Series

We will finalize these sound bites and talking points and send them to you tomorrow morning before 7 a.m. Thanks again for everything you're doing to assist us in this cause!!"

Attachment: Day Three -- Tuesday, June 7 (PDF)

Re: 'Metro Spending Often Veers From Core Transit Mission'

"Attached are key points in response to the Washington Post series on Metro that concludes today. As our partners in striving to provide quality transit service for the region, we urge you to keep in the mind the following:

1. Overall, Metro spends dollars wisely. The Board and staff are very mindful of their public stewardship role and welcomes additional oversight; the Post largely selected examples that were discovered through the agency's own audits and corrective steps have been taken.

2. In recent years, Metro cut $82 million from its operating budget in order to limit fare increases. The rail construction program was completed ahead of schedule and $339 million under budget.

3. Metro's wages and salaries are comparable with both large, local governments and large U.S. transit agencies. Metro is actively pursuing labor negotiations in collective bargaining.

3. Metro is accountable to the public; its budget is reviewed every year by Maryland, Virginia and the District. Metro is establishing a Riders Advisory Council to strengthen the review process.

4. In the past four years, Metro has been subject to more than a dozen outside, independent reviews, primarily focused in finances and contracting and recommendations are acted upon.

Deborah S. Lipman, Director Office of Policy and Intergovernmental Relations, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority"

Attachment: Day Four -- Wednesday, June 8 (PDF)

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