Things, believe it or not, are actually getting better at Metro. Behind the scenes, the organization has gotten far more transparent in recent weeks: for example, new spokesperson Dan Stessel has injected some personality into Metro’s official Twitter feed, even — gasp! — responding to people who ask questions about the region’s largest transit agency. Today, Metro rolled out another cog in its new-found communication mechanism: Metro Forward, an “ambitious 6-year action plan that is designed to make your life better by making your commuting experience more reliable, more comfortable and more enjoyable.”

The launch, which coincides with National Dump the Pump Day, aims to keep people informed with “Metro Facts” on upcoming investments, a blog, a second Twitter account and a new social media policy [PDF]. In addition to the beefed-up online presence, WMATA is promising more “in-station signage and displays and on-board posters,” and additional “outreach to community organizations.” The organization recently announced that it’d be pursuing an aggressive weekend maintenance schedule over the next 18 months in order to get up to speed on safety recommendations.

Visitors to Metro Forward’s website today have been treated with a special video message from WMATA GM/CEO Richard Sarles this morning. Seduce us with that sweet, sweet transit talk, Sarlesy: