The Metro Board of Directors Friday named Jack Requa, its chief operating officer for bus service, to replace Dan Tangherlini as acting Metro general manager.
Tangherlini, whose contract with Metro expires in February, will leave the system Nov. 5 but stay on in an advisory role for another two weeks. Last month, he accepted an offer to join presumptive D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty’s administration as city administrator. Fenty, the Democratic nominee, is a lock to win the Nov. 7 general election.
Though he’s “honored” to be considered for the temporary position, this is just another transition, Requa, 59, said Friday.
“This one will be smooth, too,” he said.
Requa’s appointment is effective Nov. 6. The Fairfax County resident, who rides Metrorail to work out of the Dunn Loring Station, will serve until the Metro board completes its search for a permanent general manager. Though he has 30 years in the transit business, Requa said he has no intention of competing for the permanent post.
“He has the experience to work as part of a leadership team, with our chief rail operator and with our chief paratransit operator, to ensure that we keep the quality up and that we’re well positioned for the next general manager,” said Dana Kauffman, a Metro board member representing Fairfax County.
Through bus, rail and paratransit, Metro moves 1.2 million riders through its system each weekday. It operates under a $1 billion budget and a $3.3 billion capital-improvement program.
Tangherlini left his position as director of the D.C. Department of Transportation to join Metro in February. As interim general manager earning $235,000 a year, he immediately moved to improve customer service. Requa is responsible for operation and maintenance of a 1,500-bus fleet that travels 48 million miles a year. Before joining Metro in 1998, Requa directed bus service for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
“We feel confident that under Jack’s leadership, Metro will continue to maintain the high quality of safe and reliable service that our riders are accustomed to,” said Gladys Mack, Metro board chair.
Metro is conducting its national search through the firm Gilbert Tweed Associates Inc.
