March 9, 2006
Transit on Thursday
It's been a while since we've run this feature. We've probably forced many a transit geek in the area into withdrawal. Today that changes. For now, at least. We're going to kick off some more weekly installments of our transit column, where we focus on nothing but area transportation. If you have something to offer -- an opinion, a tip, a commuting horror story -- please let us know.
Anyhow, today we find that WMATA could be a little better with their lunch budget and that MetroAccess riders are uniting to demand better service.
Can I Have a Side of Filet Mignon With That Lobster?
You know, the only thing that annoys us more about the overt wasting of public funds is when it is exposed before we can take part. We totally had our eye on WMATA's Board of Directors, but the Post had to go off and sully that up for us.
Today the paper reports that WMATA's weekly lunches for their board have been somewhat more opulent than the transit agency should be able to afford. Costing on average $400-500 a lunch, the feedfests for 15 people (12 members of the board and three staffers) set WMATA back $15,000 last year alone. Of course, that doesn't sound like a whole lot when you speak of a multi-billion dollar budget, but the Post went ahead and put it in perspective for us:
The amount spent on board lunches last year could have bought 23 replacement escalator steps or six bomb containment trash cans or 375,000 Metro pocket system maps.The first to jump to the board's defense -- obvs! -- was the caterer paid for these meals, who claims that meals aren't as fancy as people think. Looking at a sample menu, from January 26, we'd have to agree:
On Jan. 26, lunch was Moroccan chicken and shrimp kabobs, Minnesota long grain rice, asparagus with lemon, fresh fruit salad, freshly baked bread, assorted cookies, soda and Evian water. Total cost: $616.25. One Thursday last month, the entree was steak.Peons. They should learn a little something about classy meals from former American University President Benjamin Ladner -- he had the university pay for pan-seared foie gras, BeauSoleil oyster, sabayon and caviar, and white truffle risotto. That's a meal, WMATA.
Public Forum on MetroAccess Service Scheduled
The fact that Metro's service for disabled riders is notoriously bad is no secret. But those who depend on MetroAccess to get to and from their trains or buses want that point to be made crystal clear, and will start doing so on Monday.
Thanks to a tip from our friend and now Riders' Advisory Council chairperson Dennis Jaffe, we find out today that the RAC and WMATA's Elderly and Disabled Committee are sponsoring two forums on Monday, March 13 to allow riders to voice concerns with MetroAccess service. States a release we received:
The forums will take place between 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. on Monday at Metro Headquarters, 600 Fifth Street NW, Washington DC. MetroAccess riders and others interested in improving MetroAccess are invited to speak about the service, and to explore possible solutions with Metro officials, MV and leaders of the Riders' Advisory Council and Elderly and Disabled Advisory Committee. Members of the Board of Directors have also been invited to attend.We're happy to see that something is being done about this. Maybe they can have the event catered. Moroccan chicken and shrimp kabobs, anyone?
Picture snapped by k0rben.
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Anyone see the guy at the Balston Metro stop today hopping around in a mouse suit? LOL
If you know someone who depends on MetroAccess -- or someone who cares about improving the service -- please let them know about Monday's forums.
The aim of the forum is to channel riders' anger over longstanding service problems into a political force that compels Metro to make significant, sustainable improvements.
The full news release is at:
http://wmata.com/about/met_news/story.cfm?ID=609
Boy did DC go about this whole regional transit system weird. Shoulda set up a regional authority with elected board members and the a pay (via taxes) or you don't play system. That's how all the other major systems work. Even those that are in multiple jurisdictions. Instead of firing CEOs and constant reorganizations and appointing yourself interim cheif, the voters could vote out board members that don't use the system and grant themselves nice catered lunches.
The price tag sound high at roughly $33 per person for lunch, but it's not that overboard. A catered business lunch generally runs about $25 - 30 dollars a person when you factor in the delivery guy's tip. Granted, they could do pizza or subs a heck of a lot cheaper, every job has a unique set of perks. One nice lunch a month is not that far out of line.
TC
That is NOT how the other major systems work. NYC MTA is NOT elected. NJ Transit is NOT elected. NY/NJ Port Authority is NOT elected. DRPA (Philly/South Jersey) is NOT elected.