Mr. Obvious Analyzes Metro's Problems
Another train derails
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A former Metro general manager who was asked to assess the system has suggested some changes. Incredibly obvious ones.
David Gunn, who previously served as Metro's general manager and as the head of Amtrak, identified four challenges for Metro:
- Resolving safety issues;
- Recruiting a permanent general manager;
- Shoring up finances;
- Controlling costs for Metro's heavily subsidized door-to-door service for the disabled.
Seriously? Let's take these in order:
- Multiple fatal crashes and track worker deaths are bad.
- General Manager John Catoe is retiring.
- Metro's facing hundreds of millions of dollars in deficit this year and next.
- Metro's facing hundreds of millions of dollars in deficit this year and next.
He wasn't paid for this, was he?
Gunn told Metro's board of directors on Thursday that more agency officials should be reporting directly to the general manager, and whoever is hired as the permanent general manager should have a strong operating and technical background.
Gunn recommended against any cuts to rail service.
In other Metro news Thursday, another train derailed. In the Brentwood Metro yard, an operator ran a red light Wednesday afternoon, causing the front wheels to come off the track. No passengers were on board and no injuries were reported. Both operators on board the train have been tested for drugs and alcohol.
We predict Gunn would say that derailments are bad and operators shouldn't run red lights, use drugs or drunk on the job.
How does one get Gunn's gig?
Copyright Associated Press / NBC4 Washington
