702 /Interstate Agencies

rapid transit system for the national capital area.
That metrorail system, known as Metro, opened in
1976 with a single line less than five miles long. In
December 1993, a new four-station segment
opened to Greenbelt, Maryland. Now, Metro is an
89.5-mile rail system of five lines, serving 74 sta-
tions linking Maryland, Washington, DC, and Vir-
ginia. 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 transit bus facilities in the
Washington, DC, region. The Authority also main-
tains a regular police force to protect patrons, per-
sonnel, and property.
The Authority is governed by a six-member
Board of Directors (and six alternate directors).
Each Compact signatory appoints two members.
Board members and alternates serve terms cotermi-
nous with their service as members of their appoint-
ing bodies. The Authority's chief administrative
officer is the General Manager (Code Transporta-
tion Article, secs. 10-202 through 10-204).

WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA
TRANSIT COMMISSION

Chattperson: Howard C. Davenport, District of Columbia

Appointed by Governor of Maryland: Lilo K. Schifter
Appointed by Governor of Virginia: Preston C. Shannon

William H. McGilvery, Executive Director

1828 L Street, N.W, Suite 703
Washington, DC 20036—5104 (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 Com-
mission was created by the Washington Metropoli-
tan Area Transit Regulation Compact, an
agreement among Maryland, the District of Colum-
bia, and Virginia. Maryland ratified the Compact in
1959 (Chapter 613, Acts of 1959). Amended by
Maryland in its entirety in 1988, the revised com-
pact became effective in February 1991 after ratifi-
cation by Virginia and the District of Columbia
(Chapter 273, Acts of 1988).
The Commission prescribes fares, regulations,
and practices of transportation companies and in-
terstate taxicabs in the Washington Metropolitan
Area Transit District. The District, created by the
Compact, embraces the District of Columbia; the
cities of Alexandria and Falls Church, Virginia;
Arlington and Fairfax counties, Virginia; and
Montgomery and Prince George's counties, Mary-
land.
Expenses of the Commission are allocated annu-
ally in proportion to the population of each signa-
tory in the Metropolitan District. Maryland's share
in Fiscal Year 1994 is 46.11 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).