Hoyer Statement on GAO Report on WMATA

Statement

Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report assessing fiscal risks and improving workforce management of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Congressman Hoyer led the National Capital Region in requesting the report in February 2017:

"More than one million people rely on WMATA rail or bus services to get around the National Capital Region each day. Last year, I led my colleagues from the region in requesting an independent assessment by the GAO because failure of our transit system is not an option. WMATA and its stakeholders owe it to the citizens of our region to improve the safety and reliability of our transportation system.

"The report released today concludes that WMATA needs to better assess the pension risk and also improve planning and performance management of its workforce. I hope that General Manager Paul Wiedefeld, the WMATA Board of Directors, and all other stakeholders will read this report and work swiftly to implement the five recommendations. Today's report offers a path for WMATA to improve its workforce and the transit system, so that it better provides for its consumers.

"I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to ensure the federal government is doing its part to make WMATA safer and more reliable."

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