For immediate release: Friday, April 16, 2010
Contact: Oversight and Government Reform Press Office, (202) 225-5051

Towns Announces Hearing to Examine WMATA Challenges

WASHINGTON – Chairman Edolphus “Ed” Towns (D-NY) today announced that the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform will hold a hearing to examine the challenges facing the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) as it transitions under new leadership.

The hearing will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 in room 2154 Rayburn House Office Building.  The Committee will address WMATA’s efforts to improve safety and service in the wake of a spate of accidents that have occurred within the Metro system over the past year; the short and long-term solutions for addressing the budget shortfall currently confronting WMATA; and the process for selecting a permanent General Manager for WMATA and establishing effective long term leadership.

The witnesses invited to testify include:

Mr. Peter Benjamin
Chairman, Board of Directors
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

Mr. David Alpert
Vice-Chairman, Riders’ Advisory Council
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

Mr. Richard Sarles
Interim General Manager
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

Mr. Matt Bassett
Chairman, Tri-State Oversight Committee
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

Ms. Jackie Jeter
President
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689

Mr. Peter M. Rogoff
Administrator
Federal Transit Administration

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