Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) met today with Washington Metro Area Transit Authority (WMATA) General Manager Paul Wiedefeld to discuss First District impacts and concerns associated with WMATA’s SafeTrack plan. The meeting comes on the heels of WMATA’s announcement that it will revise its safety proposal to comply with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) feedback to avoid forced shutdown.

“Safety has to be the first priority,” Wittman said, “there can be no question about that. But I think it’s critical for decision-makers to consider the implications of system-wide delays and changes to service for Metro Rail users. General Manager Wiedefeld’s job is not an easy one. Metro is the nation’s second-busiest transit system, serving thousands of federal workers in the First District and beyond. Those riders deserve consistency and dependability in their commute, and I want to make sure their voices are heard. Transparency between stakeholders, WMATA, USDOT, and FTA will go a long way toward making sure track and other necessary repairs are made as quickly and thoroughly as possible, and I will do everything in my power to make sure that happens.”

Congressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he is Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee.

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