The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) was formed in 1967 through a congressionally approved interstate compact. The compact called for policy guidance for WMATA to be provided by elected officials and their appointees from Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. WMATA's initial mission was to plan, finance, and construct a rapid rail transit system for the Washington metropolitan area. Subsequently, WMATA was given responsibility for operating the rail system and for acquiring and operating the four local privately operated bus systems. Since 1973, WMATA has operated integrated "Metrorail" and "Metrobus" systems. WMATA policy is established by a board of directors made up of two directors and two alternates from each of three jurisdictions - the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. The Virginia members are appointed to the WMATA board by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission. The District of Columbia members are named by the mayor and city council, and the Maryland members are appointed by the Washington Suburban Transit Commission. Most of the board members are elected officials in their own jurisdictions, but a few are private citizens appointed by the jurisdictions. This paper discusses the current size and status of WMATA, the changing transit environment in the Washington metropolitan region, and WMATA's response to the changing environment.
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