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Joint WMATA Governance Review Task Force

In response to growing concerns about the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's governance and because the region’s future success is so closely tied to Metro’s performance, the Board of Trade and Council of Governments created a Joint WMATA Governance Review Task Force.

In June 2010, the Task Force commenced its work with a mission to recommend improvements in the transit agency’s governance to ensure the highest performing and sustainable transportation system for the Washington metropolitan area. The Task Force is composed of 18 current and former elected officials, government managers, and business leaders. It met 16 times between June and October and received input from 47 officials, stakeholders, and experts, including current and former WMATA Board members and General Managers. The Task Force also received public comment in an initial meeting and on COG’s website, reviewed scholarly articles and studies, and examined governance arrangements for WMATA and other transit and multi-state public sector organizations.

For the Task Force report, Moving Metro Forward, released on November 17, 2010, click here.

For the joint statement on Moving Metro Forward from Governor Bob McDonnell (VA), Governor Martin O'Malley (MD), and Mayor-elect Vincent Gray (DC) on November 23, 2010, click here.

The two Governors and Mayor released the following plan on January 10, 2011: Transforming Governance of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority: Implementation Plan and Schedule for WMATA Governance Reform. Click here to view the plan.

The BOT and COG supported a similar public-private study partnership in late 2004 and early 2005 when they jointly created a Metro Funding Panel.  The panel’s recommendation, to create a federal dedicated source of funding matched by the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia funding, was subsequently approved by Congress and signed into law by the President in 2008. 

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Media on Moving Metro Forward Report

For The Washington Post editorial on the report, click here.

For a larger list of news clips, click here.

Task Force Co-Chairs Kwame Brown and Jim Dyke appeared on the morning news at FOX5 on November 18, 2010 to discuss the report.

Clip from NBC4 on the press conference on November 17, 2010.

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Mission, Roster, and Participation Guidelines

Task Force Mission Statement

Task Force Roster

Task Force Participation Guidelines

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Meeting Summaries

Click here to view Task Force meeting summaries.

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Resource Materials

Click here to view the Task Force resource documents.

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Public Comments

Click here to view comments.

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Contact

David Robertson, COG Executive Director
Phone: 202.962.3260 / E-mail: David Robertson

Jeanne Saddler, COG Public Affairs Director
Phone: 202.962.3250 / E-mail: Jeanne Saddler