D.C. Metro’s top executive is stepping down in six months, according to the regional transit authority.
Paul Wiedefeld, the 66-year-old general manager and CEO, gave his retirement notice on Tuesday and pledged to continue addressing service disruptions in his final months, Metro Board of Directors Chairman Paul Smedberg said in a press release from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
“Forty plus years in transportation teaches you that there is no set mile marker for this decision, but given the seismic shifts happening in transit and the region, Metro needs a leader who can commit to several years of service and set a new course,” Wiedefeld said in a statement.
Metro Board announces retirement of General Manager/CEO https://t.co/W4ZbgQQ6ST #wmata pic.twitter.com/f1XG2cN5Fi
— Metro (@wmata) January 18, 2022
Prior to his time with Metro, Wiedefeld served as CEO of BWI Marshall Airport and CEO of the Maryland Transit Administration, managing day-to-day operations there, according to his WMATA biography.
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Since starting in 2015, he has been credited with improving rail safety and reliability and developing one of the transit industry’s “largest ($2B annual) capital programs to restore the system to a state of good repair,” according to the Metro Board of Directors.
Wiedefeld said in the release that the transition period would allow time to “advance several major priorities,” such as opening the Silver Line extension, moving the Metro headquarters, and restoring full rail and bus service.
Wiedefeld has also dealt with his fair share of turmoil during his tenure. One of Wiedefeld’s first acts as CEO was hiring a new chief safety officer as part of his mission of “rededicating Metro to safety,” following the Red Line disaster in January 2015 in which one passenger died and 80 others were sickened when smoke overtook their stopped train inside a tunnel, according to a letter he wrote.
More recently, there have been service delays since a derailment on the Blue Line occurred in October. As part of the investigation, Metro has pulled its 7000-series trains, about 60% of its fleet, from operation since Oct. 17.
On Jan. 13, Wiedefeld said the 7000-series trains would continue to be out of service for about 90 more days as Metro conducts a “root cause analysis” and acquires technology to measure the wheelsets.
Virginia Sen. Mark Warner released a statement following the announcement praising Wiedefeld for his work.
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“When Paul came on board in November 2015, WMATA faced a number of serious challenges and he was the right person for the job at the right time,” the Democrat said. “Under Paul’s leadership, WMATA has not only secured dedicated capital funding from local, state, and federal governments, but has adeptly continued serving the DMV community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. ”
Metro’s Board of Directors said it will hold a planning discussion at its meeting on Feb. 10 and begin a national search for Wiedefeld’s replacement.
