In a continuing attempt to improve WMATA’s image and customer relations reputation, Metro General Manager Richard White took to the Internet this afternoon and fielded questions, concerns, and complaints from commuters during his third hour-long online forum over the same number of months. Among the issues discussed were the following:

Security: White admitted that the federal government had provided only $7 million in homeland security funding for the transit system over the last two years, a far cry from the $150 million worth of security improvements he said had been identified. But, he noted, “we still believe we are among the safest transit systems in the nation.”

Dedicated Funding: Concerning finding a source of dedicated funding for WMATA, White recognized that a Blue Ribbon panel put together by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, the Board of Trade and the Federal City Council had proposed just that. He conceded, though, that “it is up to Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and the Federal Government to identify the form and source of that dedicated funding.”

Additional Sources of Revenue: In response to a question concerning TVs on trains in Atlanta and their potential for securing additional revenue, White stated that WMATA is “the middle of a procurement for a pilot program to add TV monitors on some of our rail cars and buses.” He also said that advertising in subway tunnels, advertising on the outside of the trains, and ATMs in metrorail stations were planned for this spring.

Changes to Train Cars: A number of participants questioned White on the proposals to remove seats from train cars to increase rider capacity. Many seemed concerned as to the effect on short people (due to the possible removal of vertical handholds) and the impact standing would have on those with longer commutes. White stressed that these changes were, for now, simply part of a “pilot program.”