North Virginia panel releases first WMATA performance report

The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) late last week submitted to Virginia's governor and General Assembly the first legislatively mandated report on the performance and condition of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).

Due each year on Nov. 1, the report presents data on WMATA's rail and bus performance, and "articulates the commission's priorities for controlling WMATA's operating costs," NVTC officials said in a news release.

The report outlines 22 short- and long-term strategies aimed at reducing WMATA's costs and boosting efficiency. One recommendation calls for rolling out new fare-pass products to promote frequent rail and bus ridership. Another suggests pursuing partnerships with businesses to provide easier access to transit for employees and visitors.

"This report, the first of many, will serve as a baseline for future years," said NVTC Chairman Paul Smedberg. "It will allow us, as we continue to track data, to paint a picture of improvements over time. The report is also a vehicle through which NVTC and its jurisdictions will share strategies that WMATA can use to manage costs and make its operations more efficient."