DEBORAH SIMMONS: Metro rail, bus passengers get what they pay for

ANALYSIS/OPINION:

Whew! Last week proved to be a midsummer’s nightmare for the D.C. region’s chief mass transit agency and daily commuters who use it.

While the colorful maze of current and future rail routes gives the appearance of thoughtful deliberations, the reaction to rail mishaps, including derailments and power outrages, means something is terribly wrong.

What’s most troubling is that the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, or WMATA, which oversees Metro, and the people who oversee and run WMATA have run Metro into the red.

In short, the grab bag of people and authorities in charge means too many cooks have spoiled the soup.

Since the White House and Congress have the final say, I’ll start there: Metro is cash poor.

How poor is it? An audit released on Aug. 6 said Metro spent $104 million more than it took in during the fiscal year that ended in 2014, and that revenues are down and expenses are up at Metro, which includes the bus system. Passenger revenue is the largest part of Metro’s intake, and it is on the decline — from $906.9 million in 2013 to $890.5 million in 2014. During that same time, pension, retirement and health care costs rose from $475 million to $544 million.

WTOP.com put it this way: “The restrictions from the FTA [Federal Transit Administration] have required Metro to borrow money short-term to make ends meet. It also resulted in Moody’s lowering the transit agency’s credit rating in late March.”

WMATA has lots of bosses — two from Virginia, two from Maryland, two from the District and two from the federal government. Oh, and each director has an alternate.

There are additional layers to each jurisdiction, and special constituencies that need to be tended to in each jurisdiction — i.e., handicapped, senior citizens, school kids, etc. Each jurisdiction also has its own special events to consider, such as the Capitals, Nationals, Wizards/Mystics, Redskins and D.C. United, and the costs for keeping service operating later than usual or running additional trains and buses to accommodate crowds.

Whether these various constituencies and sports franchises actually pay as they go is uncertain. One thing is certain: They probably aren’t paying enough.

The red ink, meanwhile, clearly has been spelling trouble for Metro for quite a while, which brings us to another layer of bosses.

Metro has no general manager. It has an acting general manager, a suit named Jack Requa, who has been getting an earful — and well he should since he stepped in to fill the vacuum.

See, Metro’s last general manager, Richard Sarles, informed Metro’s upper echelon last fall/summer that he would be departing. Mr. Sarles actually stepped away in mid-January, a few days after a woman had died because of a smoke-filled Metrorail train that left other passengers frightened to death at the L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station.

No one and everyone is in charge.

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe doesn’t seem to get how the GM is responsible for making sure not only that the trains and buses are safe, but also run safely on time. Mr. McAuliffe wants a transit specialist to become GM.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, meanwhile, get it: They want a turnaround specialist for GM and they want one now.

“As quickly as possible,” Mr. Hogan said earlier this summer.

Unfortunately, these three regional leaders are part of a Tri-State Oversight Committee that deals with federal, state and local safety and security issues — everything from inspections, audits and regulations to spending, personnel and management (or the lack thereof).

Have mercy! Metro needs another layer of bosses and overseers like it needs connections to street car lines.

Metro’s problems are systemic, and they’re not going to change because Maryland got a new governor, D.C. got a new mayor and Northern Virginia is the gridlock king of the region.

Metro needs a turnaround specialist who can quickly flip the script while the other bosses play politics.

And that script, by the way, should include cutting expenses and raising new money. Not federal money, mind you. But raising new money — as in raising the cost of riding on Metro.

Passengers should pay as they go. It makes no sense that people can ride the bus and the rail for less, way less, than a gallon of regular gas. Plus, D.C. residents pay a hefty “tax” since all school kids practically get free Metrobus rides.

Hire a GM to turn operations, maintenance and fiscal problems around. Increase fares. Move out of his way.

Metro passengers get what they pay for, and if you don’t believe me, ask Metro’s interim GM, Jack Requa, who’s been providing the service.

• Deborah Simmons can be reached at dsimmons@washingtontimes.com.