Building America’s Future Statement in Response to Sec. LaHood’s Metro Report

Ed Rendell, former Pennsylvania governor and co-chair of Building America’s Future, commented on the report issued by former U.S. transportation secretary Ray LaHood on the finances, management and operation of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

“Today’s study is the most comprehensive independent analysis we’ve seen on Washington’s metro system in years,” said Governor Ed Rendell. “I want to applaud Secretary Ray LaHood for his efforts in completing this thorough report, and Governor Terry McAuliffe for his leadership and determination in repairing the region’s economic engine. Like the rest of our country’s infrastructure, this agency requires permanent and dedicated funding to pay for new equipment and future maintenance. I urge Congress and the Administration to follow this bipartisan effort and work together to produce a long-term and robustly funded plan that can revitalize our nation’s infrastructure.”

The report calls for temporarily replacing Metro’s 16-member board with a five-member reform board during a three-year period. It urges Metro to re-examine its entire system of routes, schedules and operating practices, to increase the pace of repairing aging infrastructure, and to take the initiative to manage costs and increase productivity. Additionally, it urges the region’s three jurisdictions and the federal government to provide the agency with new dedicated source of funding.

“Ultimately, Metro will never recover, and return to being the stellar transit system it once was, without the reforms that Secretary LaHood is proposing,” said Governor Ed Rendell.