Metro Plans To Create Riders Panel

John J. Corbett of MetroRiders.org, a forum for riders to air their grievances, complained that the makeup of the panel would keep his group, which represents the region as a whole, from getting a seat at the table, he said.

Details of the plan will be available Monday on the transit authority's Web site, http://www.metroopensdoors.com . Metro will accept comments from Monday through Aug. 16.

Metro board members were divided about the details.

"I think we're making this whole thing way more difficult than it ought to be," said Chris Zimmerman, the Arlington representative on the board.

Dan Tangherlini, the D.C. representative on the board, said many involved in creation of the panel seem to be missing the point of giving a voice to the people who ride public transportation every day.

"I'm a big supporter of the advisory council. I just think we're overthinking it," he said. "We need to stop fooling under the hood and begin to drive the bus."

Tangherlini, who said that the timetable seemed unnecessarily long, said he is particularly concerned that special-interest groups and riders with time to attend meetings might have disproportional influence.

Comments on the advisory council proposal can be sent to raccomments@wmata.com or Debra Johnson, Director of Project Communications, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 600 Fifth St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001.