Image courtesy WMATA

As expected, the WMATA board today appointed former New Jersey transit chief Richard Sarles as its new interim general manager.

Sarles, who told reporters today that he is not interested in the GM gig long-term, will earn $25,000 a month while the board conducts a search for a permanent replacement for John Catoe. Catoe is set to retire on April 2, but Sarles will formally start on March 29, giving the two men a chance to work side-by-side in a short transition period.

The appointment puts to rest some of the looming uncertainty facing the troubled Washington transit authority, but not, by definition, all of it. Sarles, 65, has an impressive résumé, having recently retired as Executive Director of New Jersey Transit, with more than 25 years total experience in the industry. He also holds an MBA from Rutgers University. But today’s press conference served as a reminder that Sarles will at best be able to provide a sturdy band-aid for WMATA’s financial and safety woes.

“The selection of Mr. Sarles is an important step in the Board’s efforts to address safety and other important Metro issues,” said Peter Benjamin, Chairman of the Metro Board of Directors.

Sarles may represent “an important step,” but he was by no means presented as a possible savior. The new interim GM promised to make safety his top priority, which was the right thing for him to say. With Metro’s culture of safety under increasing scrutiny, he has no choice but to do what he can to make improvements. But with only six to 12 months in which to make them, it’s hard to imagine he’ll be able to do more than stick his finger firmly in the dam and keep it there until the board can identify a new leader.