584/Maryland Manual

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit
Authority is a governmental agency created by
an interstate compact entered into by and be-
tween the State of Maryland, the Common-
wealth of Virginia, and the District of
Columbia with the consent of Congress.
Maryland ratified the Compact in 1965 (Chap-
ter 869, Acts of 1965).
The Authority was created to plan, finance,
and develop a regional rapid transit system for
the national capital area. That metrorail sys-
tem, known as Metro, opened in 1976 with a
single line less than five miles long. Metro now
is a 78-mile rail system of five lines, serving 67
stations linking Maryland, Washington, DC,
and Virginia. Upon completion, the system will
be 103 miles long.
Congress, the General Assemblies of
Maryland and Virginia, and the City Council of
the District of Columbia have authorized the
Authority to acquire and operate all mass tran-
sit bus facilities in the Washington, DC, region.
The Authority also maintains a regular police
force to protect patrons, personnel, and
property.
The Authority is governed by a six-mem-
bef Board of Directors (and six alternate
directors). Each Compact signatory appoints
two members. Maryland members are ap-
pointed by the Washington Suburban Transit
Commission from among its own members.
Virginia members are appointed by the
Northern Virginia Transportation Commis-
sion. District of Columbia members are ap-
pointed by the District of Columbia City
Council. Board members and alternates serve
terms coterminous with their service as mem-
bers of their appointing bodies. The
Authority's chief administrative officer is the
General Manager (Code Transportation Ar-
ticle, sees. 10-202 through 10-204).

WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN
AREA TRANSIT COMMISSION

Chairperson: Patricia M. Worthy, District of
Columbia

Lilo K. Schifter, Maryland, Preston C. Shannon,
Virginia.

William H. McGilvery, Executive Director

1828 L Street, N.W, Suite 703
Washington, DC 20036 (202) 331-1671

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit
Commission was established in 1961 to regulate
the commercial transportation of passengers in the
Washington, DC, Metropolitan District. The
Commission was created by the Washington
Metropolitan Area Transit Regulation Compact,
an agreement among Maryland, the District of
Columbia, and Virginia. Maryland ratified the
Compact in 1959 (Chapter 613, Acts of 1959).
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Dis-
trict, also created by the Compact, embraces the
District of Columbia; the cities of Alexandria and
Falls Church; Arlington and Fairfax counties in
Virginia; and Montgomery and Prince George's
counties in Maryland.
The Commission prescribes fares, regulations,
and practices of transportation companies and
interstate taxicabs in the Washington
Metropolitan Area Transit District.
Expenses of the Commission are allocated an-
nually in proportion to the population of each
signatory in the Metropolitan District. Maryland's
share in fiscal year 1991 was 45.2 percent.
The Commission has three members. One is
appointed by the Governor of Maryland from the
Maryland Public Service Commission. The Gover-
nor of Virginia appoints one from the Virginia State
Corporation Commission. One is appointed by
the Mayor of the District of Columbia from the
District Public Service Commission. Each
member's term coincides with the term of office
in the agency from which the member is selected
(Code Transportation Article, sec. 10-203).