Congressman Brady's Letter on the tax supported metro during tax protests
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/tx08_brady/9_16_09_METRO.html
Mr. John B. Catoe, Jr.
General Manager
Washington Metro Area Transit Authority
600 5th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
To Mr. Catoe:
I write this letter on behalf of my constituents of the 8th Congressional District of Texas - many of whom traveled at great expense and time to our nation’s capital to exercise their right of free speech in the Taxpayer March on D.C. which was held on Saturday, September 12. These individuals came all the way from Southeast Texas to protest the excessive spending and growing government intrusion by the 111th Congress and the new Obama Administration.
Based upon numerous eye-witness reports by participants in the march, it is clear METRO did not adequately prepare for the influx of Americans traveling to D.C. for this historic event. I want an explanation why.
During the march, I heard complaints from elderly veterans in wheel chairs who were denied use of the subway because not enough METRO cars were available and the METRO cars that did arrive were full to overflowing capacity.
An 80 year old woman and her 60 year old daughter were forced to walk - and eventually pay for a cab - due to overcrowded conditions on the METRO. I heard many such complaints. These participants, whose tax dollars were used to create and maintain this public transit system, were frustrated and disappointed that our nation’s capital did not make a greater effort to simply provide a basic level of transit service for them.
METRO was certainly aware of the march due to widespread media attention ahead of time. While the turnout was certainly much larger than predicted, it appears that METRO added no additional capacity to its regular weekend schedule.
I request that METRO promptly provide my office with a full summary of all preparations and actions taken by the agency ahead of and during the gathering, especially related to additional capacity, service, and security.
Sincerely,
Kevin Brady
Mr. John B. Catoe, Jr.
General Manager
Washington Metro Area Transit Authority
600 5th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
To Mr. Catoe:
I write this letter on behalf of my constituents of the 8th Congressional District of Texas - many of whom traveled at great expense and time to our nation’s capital to exercise their right of free speech in the Taxpayer March on D.C. which was held on Saturday, September 12. These individuals came all the way from Southeast Texas to protest the excessive spending and growing government intrusion by the 111th Congress and the new Obama Administration.
Based upon numerous eye-witness reports by participants in the march, it is clear METRO did not adequately prepare for the influx of Americans traveling to D.C. for this historic event. I want an explanation why.
During the march, I heard complaints from elderly veterans in wheel chairs who were denied use of the subway because not enough METRO cars were available and the METRO cars that did arrive were full to overflowing capacity.
An 80 year old woman and her 60 year old daughter were forced to walk - and eventually pay for a cab - due to overcrowded conditions on the METRO. I heard many such complaints. These participants, whose tax dollars were used to create and maintain this public transit system, were frustrated and disappointed that our nation’s capital did not make a greater effort to simply provide a basic level of transit service for them.
METRO was certainly aware of the march due to widespread media attention ahead of time. While the turnout was certainly much larger than predicted, it appears that METRO added no additional capacity to its regular weekend schedule.
I request that METRO promptly provide my office with a full summary of all preparations and actions taken by the agency ahead of and during the gathering, especially related to additional capacity, service, and security.
Sincerely,
Kevin Brady