ARLINGTON, Va. — Feedback is coming in about Metro’s new pick for general manager, and soon riders will be able to share their own thoughts.
Metro board member Catherine Hudgins says Paul Wiedefeld knows what he’s getting into.
“That’s most important — that someone does not come here without understanding we do have challenges, and that he’s armed and ready to address them. We’re looking forward to moving forward with some changes and getting Metro back up to speed,” she told WTOP.
Hudgins spoke with Metro riders at the King Street station Thursday evening, and said she had three take-aways: People like Metro; they’re concerned about the system’s reliability, and they want more investment in it.
“And then they asked, ‘How can we help?’,” she said.
The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission is planning two public meetings next month so Metro riders can share concerns and ideas.
The meetings are tentatively set for Dec. 16 in Arlington and Dec. 17 in Reston.
At the commission’s meeting Thursday night in Arlington, there was a renewed call for additional, dependable funding for the transit agency to ensure safety.
“For the long term, the health of the system is going to require the federal government to play a greater role in providing the funding for Metro,” said chairman Dave Snyder.
That’s the gist of a resolution the commission passed.
“It’s not enough to just point fingers, and it’s not enough to regulate more,” Snyder added.
