WASHINGTON — The long-awaited Metro Safety Commission took a significant step forward Friday with the appointment of the agency’s first commissioners.
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe appointed former National Transportation Safety Board member Mark Rosenker, of McLean, and Greg Hull, who is the former director of security and operations support at the American Public Transportation Association, to the commission.
Maryland and the District of Columbia also each get to appoint commissioners. Jennifer Mitchell, director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, said she expects those appointments to be made soon.
It has taken years to establish the safety oversight body, which will take control of oversight back for D.C., Maryland and Virginia from the Federal Transit Administration. The FTA took over oversight two years ago from the ineffective Tri-State Oversight Commission.
The body still must hire an executive director and other staff, such as inspectors, as part of the certification process before it can take control.
“We’re still working on the mobilization and getting staffed up, but this is obviously a big, important first step,” Mitchell said.
In a statement, the Federal Transit Administration said it continues to work with Virginia, Maryland and D.C. Before the new local oversight commission takes over, it “must successfully complete transition activities, demonstrating its capability to perform all federally required safety oversight responsibilities,” the FTA said.
