It's Metro board day...
Agenda
- Reviewing audits from the Inspector Gen
- Approving name change: Largo Town Center to Downtown Largo
- No agenda item on replacing GM Wiedefeld, who is retiring. Board likely tackling in exec session. More on that Feb 10.
Agenda
- Reviewing audits from the Inspector Gen
- Approving name change: Largo Town Center to Downtown Largo
- No agenda item on replacing GM Wiedefeld, who is retiring. Board likely tackling in exec session. More on that Feb 10.
Some previous coverage on "Downtown Largo"
dcist.com/story/22/01/13…
And the search for the next General Manager: dcist.com/story/22/01/21…
dcist.com/story/22/01/13…
And the search for the next General Manager: dcist.com/story/22/01/21…
No Rider Advisory Council report this month.
Not sure what's going on with that group. 1/3 of the council is vacant. Asked for a comment last week about what they wanted to see in a new GM, haven't gotten a response. Recorded meetings aren't posted anymore.
Not sure what's going on with that group. 1/3 of the council is vacant. Asked for a comment last week about what they wanted to see in a new GM, haven't gotten a response. Recorded meetings aren't posted anymore.
Liaison to the RAC is also an alternate board member who can only participate in regular meetings when the main rep is gone.
Public comments include:
- Concerns about 16C bus route from Columbia Pike in Arlington to D.C. "never returning."
- Customer service, poor reliability, bad cleanup in certain stations
- Asking for automated trains again
- Why reduced fare cards can't be added to mobile wallet
- Concerns about 16C bus route from Columbia Pike in Arlington to D.C. "never returning."
- Customer service, poor reliability, bad cleanup in certain stations
- Asking for automated trains again
- Why reduced fare cards can't be added to mobile wallet
Accessibility Advisory Committee report is here: wmata.com/about/board/me…
Phil Posner said they've talked about 8000-series trains: Lighting, announcement, intercar barriers, seating and "autonomous safety technology" which sounds like it would detect animals, obstacles on tracks
Phil Posner said they've talked about 8000-series trains: Lighting, announcement, intercar barriers, seating and "autonomous safety technology" which sounds like it would detect animals, obstacles on tracks
Board Chair Paul Smedberg is now on to his report. Board was "deeply disappointed but completely understand his reasons" for retiring.
Smedberg said he was the right person for the job. Got WMATA through SafeTrack, pandemic.
Paul has been "valuable to our organization & region."
Smedberg said he was the right person for the job. Got WMATA through SafeTrack, pandemic.
Paul has been "valuable to our organization & region."
Smedberg said they're going to find a search firm and will outline their search process next month.
He also asks the public to weigh in on the budget. wmata.com/initiatives/bu…
He also asks the public to weigh in on the budget. wmata.com/initiatives/bu…
Now on to Wiedefeld's report... first time he's talked to the public since he announced retirement last week.
Thanks board and moves on to COVID update.
1,500 employees have missed work because of COVID recently. Forced to reduce bus service to 75%.
Case rate declining.
Thanks board and moves on to COVID update.
1,500 employees have missed work because of COVID recently. Forced to reduce bus service to 75%.
Case rate declining.
Metro workforce is 93% vaccinated and 97% compliant with vaccination OR testing mandate.
NEW: WMATA bus service will return to normal weekday schedule on Feb. 7.
May be few reductions as situation warrants.
May be few reductions as situation warrants.
Wiedefeld on 7000-series trains: Working with consultants on issues and still communicating to WMSC and the NTSB.
"We're at the start of that 90 day pause and we'll work to find the root cause as quickly as we can and return to regular service as quickly as we can."
"We're at the start of that 90 day pause and we'll work to find the root cause as quickly as we can and return to regular service as quickly as we can."
Board approves name change for Largo Town Center to Downtown Largo. No questions or comments. Vote is 6-1. Hadden Loh is the no. She was against the name because of confusion. Our past coverage: dcist.com/story/22/01/13…
Smedberg gave an update to Northern Virginia lawmakers in Richmond recently. "A lot of interest and questions... But a lot of support from the delegation and they understand the importance of WMATA in the region and state."
Hadden Loh briefed D.C. Council last week. (You can read about that here:
"A lot of concerns right now, especially about school transportation disruption," Hadden Loh says.
Sounds like that issue continuing even today
https://twitter.com/maustermuhle/status/1483473289485950981)
"A lot of concerns right now, especially about school transportation disruption," Hadden Loh says.
Sounds like that issue continuing even today
https://twitter.com/icedstiletto/status/1486688926966423552
Board is heading into executive session and public meeting is over.
Board Chair Paul Smedberg will have a media availability this afternoon. Drop your burning questions in the thread.
Mine include what type of person he and the board think is right for the next GM and what Metro is hearing about return to work timelines vs. when 7Ks will be back
Mine include what type of person he and the board think is right for the next GM and what Metro is hearing about return to work timelines vs. when 7Ks will be back
Smedberg on GM search:
- Board Exec committee will lead search (Babers, Smedberg, Ports, Kline)
- KA Partners is leading search. They're local, but have national and international ties. Have done Denver CEO search, also searches at BART, MARTA, others.
- Wants collab search
- Board Exec committee will lead search (Babers, Smedberg, Ports, Kline)
- KA Partners is leading search. They're local, but have national and international ties. Have done Denver CEO search, also searches at BART, MARTA, others.
- Wants collab search
Smedberg says no profile or job qualifications yet...
Committed to getting the right leader. It will take some time, he says.
Process will be confidential but will update the public as they can.
Committed to getting the right leader. It will take some time, he says.
Process will be confidential but will update the public as they can.
Smedberg says open to "a strong manager" outside of transit. Have to be politically savvy as well.
Looking for the best candidates possible.
Looking for the best candidates possible.
In response to question from Adam Tuss, Smedberg doesn't think Wiedefeld is "abandoning" the agency right now.
Smedberg says next GM is going to be someone who has solid management skills and a solid background in fiscal management.
Safety, customer service are definitely top priorities as well.
Safety, customer service are definitely top priorities as well.
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