The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit
Authority is a governmental agency created by an
Interstate Compact entered into by and between
the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of
Virginia, and the District of Columbia with the
consent of Congress. Maryland ratified the Com-
pact by Chapter 869, Acts of 1965.

The Authority was created to plan, finance,
and develop a regional rapid transit system for
the national capital area. Congress and the Gen-
eral Assemblies of Maryland and Virginia en-
larged this purpose to include the ownership and
operation of all mass transit bus facilities in the
Washington region. All of these facilities were ac-
quired by February 4, 1973 (Chapter 776, Acts of
1971). Legislation was passed by Congress and
signed by the President on June 4, 1976 (P.L.
94-306), to approve a compact amendment passed
by the Maryland and Virginia General Assem-
blies in 1974. This law authorized the Washing-
ton Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to es-
tablish and maintain a regular police force for the
protection of its patrons, personnel, and property
(Maryland, Chapter 586, Acts of 1974; Virginia,
Chapter 576, Acts of 1974).

The Authority is controlled by a six-member
Board of Directors (and six Alternate Directors).
Each of the three signatories to the Compact ap-
points two members. Maryland members are
appointed by the Washington Suburban Transit
Commission. Virginia members are appointed by
the Northern Virginia Transportation Commis-
sion. District of Columbia members are appointed
by the District of Columbia City Council. Board
members and alternates serve terms coterminous
with their service as members of their appointing
bodies.

The chief administrative officer is the General
Manager, who is responsible for all activities of
the Authority subject to policy direction by the
Board (Code Transportation Article, secs. 10-202
through 10-204).

Interstate Agencies/'419

WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN
AREA TRANSIT COMMISSION

Commissioners:

Patricia W. Clement, District of Columbia; Lilo
K. Schifter, Maryland; Preston C. Shannon,
Virginia.

William H. McGilvery, Executive Director
Gregory P. Barth, General Counsel

1625 I Street, N.W., Room 316
Washington, D.C. 20006
Telephone: (202) 331-1671

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit
Commission was established in 1961 to regulate
privately-owned transportation facilities in the
Washington, D.C. Metropolitan District. The
Commission was created by the Washington Met-
ropolitan Area Transit Regulation Compact, an
agreement among Maryland, the District of Co-
lumbia, and Virginia. Maryland ratified the Com-
pact in 1959 (Chapter 613, Acts of 1959). The
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit District,
also created by the Compact, embraces the Dis-
trict of Columbia, the cities of Alexandria and
Falls Church, and Arlington and Fairfax counties
in Virginia, and Montgomery and Prince
George's counties in Maryland.

The Commission is composed of three mem-
bers. One member is appointed by the Governor
of Maryland, one by the Governor of Virginia,
and one by the Mayor of the District of Colum-
bia. Each Commissioner's term coincides with his
term of office in the agency from which he is se-
lected. The Commission selects its own officers.

The Commission has the power to prescribe
fares, regulations, and practices of transportation
companies and interstate taxicabs in the area.

Expenses of the Commission are allocated an-
nually in proportion to the population of each
signatory in the Metropolitan District. Mary-
land's share is forty-five percent (Code 1957, Art.
41, secs. 257-307).