The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has hired Paul Wiedefeld, the former CEO of Baltimore's international airport, to be their new general manager and CEO, according to a press release issued by WMATA.
Wiedefeld will be taking over a troubled a mass transit authority that is plagued by operational problems and worsening financial woes.
The Washington Post adds that WMATA has been under intense scrutiny from federal safety officials following a deadly incident on January 12, 2015, in a Yellow Line tunnel near the L'Enfant Plaza station.
An electrical malfunction on the track filled the tunnel smoke that engulfed a stalled train toxic fumes that killed one rider and caused sickness in many more.
The Washington Post adds that the incident has exposed problems in the subway's electrical equipment, ventilation systems, computer software and other technical issues.
Investigators also identified a lot of problems with the WMATA's rail control center, which monitors the trains in real time.
Aside from operational problems, Wiedefeld will also be dealing with the difficulty of processing the formulation of a budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1, according to The Washington Post.
The WMATA spends $1.8 billion for day-to-day operations, with $866 million of the operation budget coming from the Washington-area jurisdictions.
The Washington Post adds that the jurisdictions, though, are hesitating to chip in more money to help WMTA following the chronic disruptions in subway service.
The jurisdictions want the WMATA to improve its rail safety and reliability before it chips in more money.
Mort Downey, the chairman of the WMTA Board of Directors, said in the press release that they believe, though, that Wiedefeld will help build a "new standard of safety, reliability, and financial stability for the system."
"Paul brings to Metro a depth of transportation knowledge and regional experience and we are absolutely united in our support for him," he said.
He adds in the press release that the board will continue to support Wiedefeld with their "governance and oversight role."
He said that they will help "in a manner that helps Paul succeed in running the day-to-day operations of Metro to better serve our riders, rebuild faith in management, and restore credibility with stakeholders."
Wiedefeld, 60, brings with him 30 years of public and private sector transportation management experience to WMATA, according to the press release.
As the CEO of Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Wiedefeld managed the operations of an airport that served a record 22.7 million passengers in 2012.
Prior to leading the Baltimore airport, Wiedefeld served as administrator of the Maryland Transit Administration, where he managed the day-to-day operation, according to the press release.
Wiedefeld also has extensive experience in engineering project management at Parsons Brinckerhoff's aviation practice.
WMATA said in the press release that Wiedefeld will be formally appointed on November 19, 2015, during the agency's next board of directors meeting.
