Accusations of mismanagement and incompetence at Metro are nothing new. The Post ran a special series detailing Metro's internal challenges last summer, and most recently, more than a few Virginia delegates used Metro's alleged management lapses to justify their votes against funding the system.

At this point, Metro must take it as given that any proposed changes in service or rates will be followed by a calls for reform of internal mismanagement at the transit agency. The sweeping fare and fee increases and service changes proposed by Metro last week were certainly no exception. The public dutifully expressed its outrage in letters, blogs, and comment threads; a frequent refrain was that Metro better get its own house in order before charging $16 to park and ride the Orange Line, smooshed like a sardine all the while.

Metro's Board, which must approve any changes, received the budget proposal just as coolly, if less colorfully. Board member and Ward 1 D.C. Councilman Jim Graham told the Post

"...I will be unable to support any fare increase, or any change in fare policy that results in a fare increase, until I am satisfied that we have as a board done all we could to insure that every possible step was taken" to address the budget shortfall.

While it is unclear what suggestions might eventually be adopted by Metro, at least some of the criticism seems to have sunken in. Metro has temporarily frozen hiring for all positions not related to safety or train operation. The freeze will remain in effect until the 2008 budget is approved.

Before the freeze, however, at least one more position should be filled. Metro Chief-to-be John Catoe wants to bring a consultant he worked with in L.A. on board to review the agency's internal structure and recommend money-saving measures. Metro's budget had $800,000 built into it for this task, but Catoe wisely stated that he would cap payment at $350,000.

Some of Metro's costs, such as fuel and labor, will rise inevitably over time. Along with the need for service improvements and maintenance of an aging system, periodic fare increases are not unreasonable. However, riders would be more amenable to such increases if they knew Metro was spending money wisely. Catoe's consultant, along with some of the Board's suggestions, and a few of the better ideas proposed in last week's budget could result in real progress at Metro.

Of course, we all know that even the best recommendations do not have to be implemented, and as Dan Tangherlini found, Metro can be a big fan of inertia.

Photo by El Greg