The past year marked the launch of Metro’s Riders Advisory Council, which began meeting in early 2006 to offer the system’s board of directors input from the people using the trains and buses.
“It’s been a mixed year,” said Dennis Jaffe, who served as the council’s first president.
On the positive side, Jaffe said, the group convinced the board to keep the M2 bus route, expand the MetroAccess program to include door-to-door service and to make the budget process more open, which is important given the agency’s proposals to increase fares and reduce service.
“They will be holding more public hearings and riders will have more of a voice than before,” Jaffe said.
In another move to gather riders’ opinions, the council worked with Metro’s board to sponsor two town hall meetings last year that generated numerous comments and suggestions. To further increase public participation, Jaffe would like the board to allow public comments during committee meetings, not just during full board meetings.
“Many of the decisions are made at the committee level,” Jaffe said.
Other areas Jaffe said the council will work on during 2007 include more signs showing the phone number for Metro’s police department, clearer announcements on trains, keeping fares the same as 2006 and safer access to rail stations.
“Many people are coming to Metro’s town hall meetings to say that the vicinities surrounding some rail stations and bus stops are not safe for pedestrians. Metro needs to take more initiative in working with local government agencies and property owners to promote safe access to rail stations and bus stops for pedestrians,” Jaffe said.
Jaffe continues serving on the Riders Advisory Council this year, but Maryland resident Michael Snyder will serve as president this year.
