Origin & Functions

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 Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Regulation Compact in 1965 (Chapter 869, Acts of 1965; Code Transportation Article, sec. 10-204). The Authority was formed to plan, finance, develop, and operate a balanced regional transportation system for the national capital area. The Authority also maintains a regular police force to protect patrons, personnel, and property.

Formerly, the Tri-State Oversight Committee served as the safety oversight agency for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. In October 2015, however, the Federal Transit Administration also began to oversee the Metro subway, making Metro the first U.S. subway system to be overseen directly for safety by a federal agency. Following the federal certification process in March 2019, the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission became the safety oversight agency for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

Metrorail. The six-line Metrorail system 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, making Metro a 103-mile rail system of five lines (83 stations), linking Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia. In December 2004, the system increased to 106.3 miles with 86 stations following an extension of the Blue Line to Largo, Maryland.

In March 2009, construction began on a 23-mile extension, the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, from East Falls Church, Virginia, to Washington Dulles International Airport and beyond to Ashburn, Virginia. Phase 1 of the Project opened in July 2014. Known as the Silver Line, Phase 1 includes five stations and service from East Falls Church to Wiehle-Reston East. Phase 2 of the Project extends Metrorail past Washington Dulles International Airport to Route 772 in Loudoun County, Virginia. Opening in November 2022, Phase 2 included six new stations.

As of 2022, Metrorail has six rail lines and over 1,200 railcars running on 128 miles of tracks with stops at 98 stations.

Metrobus. In 1972, Congress, the General Assemblies of Maryland and Virginia, and the City Council of the District of Columbia authorized the Authority to acquire and operate all mass transit bus facilities in the Washington, DC, region. In 1973, Metro acquired four area bus systems.

Metrobus now runs more than 1,600 buses on 269 routes with over 11,500 stops.

MetroAccess. MetroAccess provides door-to-door, shared-ride transportation services seven days a week within its service area for people who cannot use public transportation due to a disability and are certified eligible.

MetroAccess transports approximately 2.3 million people annually.

In December 2022, MetroAccess operations moved to the New Carrollton Office Building located at 4100 Garden City Drive in Hyattsville.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

An eight-member Board of Directors (& eight alternate directors) governs the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. To the Board, each Compact signatory appoints two members and two alternates. The U.S. Secretary of Transportation also appoints two members and two alternates. Formerly, these were chosen by the Administrator of the federal General Services Administration (Public Law 111-62). 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).

Assisting the Board of Directors are two advisory bodies: the Accessibility Advisory Committee, and the Riders' Advisory Council.

ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Accessibility Advisory Committee advises the Board of Directors on the needs of senior citizens and people with disabilities. The Committee, which meets monthly, is assisted by the Bus and Rail Subcommittee, and the MetroAccess Subcommittee.

RIDERS' ADVISORY COUNCIL

In September 2005, the Board of Directors authorized the Riders' Advisory Council.

The Council advises the Board on matters affecting Metrobus, Metrorail, and MetroAccess service.

Eleven members constitute the Council. Two are from Maryland, two from Virginia, and two from the District of Columbia. Five are at-large members, including a representative from the Accessibility Advisory Committee.

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