Metro is great service struggling as it enters middle age while still relying on the funding streams and management structure it had when it was brand new and the pet project of the Federal Government. The region needs to take ownership of the system, and start paying for it.

Steve: Agree completely.

Actually the board is about 80% of the problem. They coddle the union and are 100% over their heads. Between Kwame and Graham it’s a wonder metro isn’t paying $150k to every wmata employee. You can’t have dimwits micro-managing an organization as large and technical as metro and expect it to function correctly and within a budget. They do nothing about big picture problems, they cater to small insignificant groups of riders, and they interfere with day to day operations. Nothing good happens until DC appoints new board members.

I don’t think he has done a good job with the buses either.

The bus drivers are still being reckless.

“People have been killed. People have been hurt. The system is not running or looking as good as it used to. It also needs more money. They want me gone and if I go gracefully by retiring they will make it worth it for me to do so”

Maybe we can find a German or Swiss train guru and have them revamp Metrorail and increase efficiency. haha Only half-kidding…

One main problem with Catoe is that he was miscast in the role. They brought him in because he was a bus guy, and Metro bus was the weakness of the system since the train service was pretty good. And he did in fact improve the bus system- but the bread and butter of Metro is rail- not bus. It’s what gives the system its credibility and appeal, and acts as a substitute for driving. For Metro, buses are important, but the train system makes or breaks the perception of the system as a whole and can put a stranglehold on the entire region.

That being said, he really did not rise to the occasion at all, and didn’t seem capable of leading Metro. It is merciful that he stepped down. There’s no telling what could have happened if he had continued the status quo. Now the Board need to do the right thing and get a reformer in there who can fight through decades of secrecy and bureaucracy to transorm WMATA into an accountable and efficient entity. It will probably involve a protracted fight against the union though, and will be ugly. Thankfully, I think the will and fury of the public is there to support the effort. Bring Metro back to its former glory!!

The agency needs to be blown up and recreated with a CEO with near dicatorial skill. That the Metro board rejects reveune stream projects such as kiosks in stations is a joke. The Munich system has a freakin grocery story for gods sake! Surely leaseing space for news stands and coffee vendors would help the system.

Good luck to the board in finding a sucker to take the job!