USDOT and NCPC, not GSA, should appoint members to the WMATA Board

Today, the Post editorializes about the federal bill to provided payment of $150 million/year for ten years to WMATA, in return for DC, MD, and Virginia (1) agreeing to match this appropriation with dedicated funding streams for the WMATA transit system; and (2) adding to the WMATA Board of Directors representatives from the federal government. See "Metro: Back on Track: Jim Graham rightly decides that the moral high ground isn't worth millions of dollars in federal funding."

The bill calls for four federal members, two voting members and two alternates. (Each jurisdiction has four members, two voting members and two alternates.)

But the General Services Administration mostly manages federal property and buys goods and services (like computers). GSA does work with agencies on transportation management planning when they open new facilities. But this part of their capability isn't disclosed on their website, and in any case, it's not likely that the GSA considers transportation policy for the region in the context of what I call the Washington Metropolitan Transit Network. From the GSA website:

Transportation Programs Synopsis

GSA has the knowledge, the expertise, and the most up-to-date information to meet an agency's transportation needs. The Transportation, Delivery and Relocation Solutions Schedule provides Domestic Delivery Services, Employee Relocation Services, Local Courier Services as well as Office Relocation Services. The Rental Supplemental Vehicle Program is a relatively new offering under the Schedule. GSA also provides freight and household goods services to federal civilian agencies.

See how GSA's transportation solutions can provide valuable services by viewing this Transportation Program Synopsis.

Also see the Transportation section of the GSA website.

Instead, it makes more sense for the National Capital Planning Commission, the planning agency for the Executive branch of the Federal Government, and the US Department of Transportation, should be involved in appointing members to the WMATA Board of Directors.

As part of its responsibilities, the NCPC produces the Federal Elements of the DC Comprehensive Land Use Plan. One of the elements is on Transportation. And NCPC also assists federal agencies (excluding Congress) with transportation demand management planning.

The NCPC Transportation Management Handbook. From the handbook:

GSA

The General Service Administration’s (GSA’s) role in this process is to assist federal agencies in the development, implementation, and administration of TMPs. GSA will directly assist in developing a TMP if an agency’s construction project is being managed, designed and/or funded through GSA. In addition to providing TMP support, GSA also performs the following functions:

• Coordinates ridesharing efforts with MWCOG on behalf of federal agencies. The coordination includes publishing a newsletter for federal ETCs [employee transportation coordinator]; printing ridesharing promotional information for federal employees; providing standing displays for marketing materials; establishing links to MWCOG’s Commuter Connections ride-matching system when required; and coordinating transportation fairs with MWCOG and local TMP personnel.

• GSA, in cooperation with MWCOG and NCPC, sponsors training sessions for federal ETCs. In addition to learning new marketing techniques and keeping abreast of changes, the sessions offer the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with ETCs from other federal agencies.

• GSA has the authority to regulate and police parking facilities or may delegate the authority. GSA’s current policy is to delegate the responsibility to the individual agencies.

GSA’s parking space assignment policy is provided in the Federal Management Regulation (FMR). Agencies are directed to assign spaces in the following order of priority:

1. Official Needs
2. Handicapped
3. Executive personnel and persons who work unusual hours
4. Vanpools and carpools
5. Persons who use their private vehicle regularly for Government business
6. Other employees

In addition to the assignment of parking spaces, federal regulations address the issue of pricing. Title 40 U.S.C., Section 490(k) requires that parking revenues in excess of the actual operating and maintenance costs be returned to the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts. Unfortunately, this effectively prohibits the use of parking revenues to offset other TMP programs such as transit subsidies.

GSA is also charged with running and maintaining a Telework Center program, providing satellite work centers for federal employees.