NVTC details suggestions for improving confidence in WMATA

The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) has adopted recommendations designed to help the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) "regain and retain rider loyalty," the commission announced last week.

The recommendations will be sent to WMATA Chair Mortimer Downey, along with a copy of a report detailing comments and suggestions received from riders, taxpayers and business leaders, NVTC officials said in a press release.

Chief among the recommendations is a call to improve the reliability of WMATA's Metrorail service.

The NVTC's suggestions also include making safety the guiding principle in operations and capital investments; creating a strong customer service culture, including fare products that reward loyalty; establishing strong financial management; and identifying dependable, dedicated revenue sources.

"WMATA's key task in the coming months is to address reliability and safety concerns as it puts its financial house in order," wrote NVTC Chair Jay Fisette in a letter to Downey. "Long-term success hinges on making prudent investments and securing dependable revenue sources and is predicated on real short-term improvements that allow riders to depend on the system."