Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission

Vacancy, Chair (chosen by Commission)

Appointed by Governor of Maryland: Odogwu Obi Linton, Esq., 2026

Appointed by Governor of Virginia: one vacancy

Appointed by Mayor, District of Columbia: Jonathan M. Rogers

Jeffrey M. Lehmann, Esq., Executive Director & General Counsel

In 1961, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission was established 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). Amended by Maryland in its entirety in 1988, the revised compact became effective in February 1991 after ratification by Virginia and the District of Columbia (Chapter 273, Acts of 1988).

The commercial transportation of passengers in the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit District is regulated by the Commission. Created by the Compact, the Metropolitan District embraces the District of Columbia; Montgomery and Prince George's counties, Maryland; the cities of Alexandria and Falls Church, Virginia; Arlington and Fairfax counties, Virginia, and Washington Dulles International Airport. Also, for the purpose of setting interstate taxicab rates, the Metropolitan District includes that portion of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, which holds BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport (external website, opens in a new tab) .

The Commission issues operating authority to transportation companies, which must file fixed rates and fares with the Commission and comply with Commission-prescribed insurance, safety, and vehicle-marking regulations. The Commission also sets rates and charges for interstate taxicab trips between points within the Metropolitan District.

Commission expenses are allocated annually in proportion to the population of each signatory in the Metropolitan District. In Fiscal Year 2026, Maryland’s share is 47.13% or $538,225.

Three members constitute the Commission. One is named by the Governor of Maryland from the Maryland Public Service Commission. As of a 2010 amendment change, the Governor of Virginia appoints one from the Department of Motor Vehicles, and one is chosen by the Mayor of the District of Columbia from an agency with oversight of matters relating to the 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).

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