1st Vice-Chair (chosen by Board in January): Gladys W. Mack, District of Columbia
2nd Vice-Chair (chosen by Board in January): Decatur W. Trotter, Maryland
Appointed by Washington Suburban Transit Commission: Cleatus E. Barnett; John P. Davey (alternate); Carlton R. Sickles (alternate).
Appointed by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission: Christopher Zimmerman; T. Dana Kauffman (alternate); Lois L. Walker (alternate).
Appointed by District of Columbia City Council: James Graham; David A. Catania (alternate); one vacancy (alternate).
Richard A. White, General Manager
600 Fifth St., NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 962-1047
(202) 962-1234
(202) 637-7000 (bus & rail information)
(202) 962-1051 (public information)
TTY for deaf: (202) 638-3780
website: http://www.wmata.com/
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority was created by interstate compact of the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the District of Columbia with the consent of Congress. Maryland ratified the Compact in 1965 (Chapter 869, Acts of 1965). The Authority was formed to plan, finance, and develop a regional rapid transit system for the national capital area. That metrorail system, known as Metro (or the Washington Metro), opened in 1976 with a single line less than five miles long. In December 1993, a new four-station segment opened to Greenbelt, Maryland. The Blue Line was extended to Franconia-Springfield, Virginia, in June 1997, and the Red Line to Glenmont, Maryland, in July 1998. Now, Metro is an 95-mile rail system of five lines, serving 76 stations linking Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia. Upon completion, the system will be 103 miles long.
Congress, the General Assemblies of Maryland and Virginia, and the City Council of the District of Columbia have authorized the Authority to acquire and operate all mass transit bus facilities in the Washington, DC, region. The Authority also maintains a regular police force to protect patrons, personnel, and property.
The Authority is governed by a six-member Board of Directors (and six alternate directors). Each Compact signatory appoints two members. Board members and alternates serve terms coterminous with their service as members of their appointing bodies (Code Transportation Article, secs. 10-202 through 10-204).
© Copyright July 02, 1999 Maryland State Archives