One of the most active and engaged Rider Advisory Council members says they’ve been pushed out the door by WMATA. As Chair of the RAC, they always begged Metro to be better — whether it was providing masks or more clearly communicating service changes during the pandemic.
https://twitter.com/anelki/status/1354655844059795456
Metro has treated this rider group badly in the past.
It’s unclear what Metro’s board wants out of the group. Or maybe it’s very clear.
wamu.org/story/18/10/25…
It’s unclear what Metro’s board wants out of the group. Or maybe it’s very clear.
wamu.org/story/18/10/25…
Metro is set to vote on appointing new members of the RAC at 9 a.m. They’ve nominated:
- Madison O’Conner of Virginia
- Brian Meyer of Virginia
- Charmaine Todman-Nwanji of Maryland
- Andrew Tsui, at-large
- 2 other members reappointed
- Unclear why @anelki not reappointed
- Madison O’Conner of Virginia
- Brian Meyer of Virginia
- Charmaine Todman-Nwanji of Maryland
- Andrew Tsui, at-large
- 2 other members reappointed
- Unclear why @anelki not reappointed
One tough aspect of online meetings, it's hard to see who is there and who is not. Just not the same as being in the room.
Federal rep David Horner no longer on the board as of around the first of the year. Unsure why.
If Pete Buttigieg is confirmed, he would name replacement.
Federal rep David Horner no longer on the board as of around the first of the year. Unsure why.
If Pete Buttigieg is confirmed, he would name replacement.
Former DDOT Director Jeff Marootian also no longer on the board after he changes jobs.
Smedberg says both Horner and Marootian resigned recently. He didn't say why for Horner though.
Horner and the other fed rep Steve McMillan were appointed at the same time in 2017: transportation.gov/briefing-room/…
Horner and the other fed rep Steve McMillan were appointed at the same time in 2017: transportation.gov/briefing-room/…
In Kierig's last RAC report video, they chided Metro for continuing to charge peak fares when Metro is not running peak level service.
Smedberg reminds riders that the public comment period for the FY22 budget opens Feb. 20.
Metro says it expects widespread access to the vaccine for its workforce in February.
D.C. (and probably other jurisdictions) have prioritized transit workers in earlier groups.
D.C. (and probably other jurisdictions) have prioritized transit workers in earlier groups.
VA member Matt Letourneau asks about mask compliance on trains, buses. Metro continues to get complaints that ppl aren't wearing them.
Wiedefeld reiterates his position he's held all along: they won't make operators be the enforcers on masks. Can call transit police for help.
Wiedefeld reiterates his position he's held all along: they won't make operators be the enforcers on masks. Can call transit police for help.
Says these issues can elevate into something more confrontational and Wiedefeld wants to avoid that.
"We do not want to put our frontline employees in that position."
There's just a certain segment that does not abide by the rules.
"We do not want to put our frontline employees in that position."
There's just a certain segment that does not abide by the rules.
And that wraps today's unusually short Metro board
Smedberg forwarded my request for comment to WMATA PR shop.
Here's a long response a Metro spox gave after I asked about how the board decided to not re-appoint Kierig.
Here's a long response a Metro spox gave after I asked about how the board decided to not re-appoint Kierig.
In an email rejection to Kierig, Smedberg said "We have decided to nominate other Virginia candidates... (that) more closely meet our needs at this time. This was a difficult decision but one we feel reflects the Board's desired direction for the RAC..."
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