Metro's Board needs a shake-up. Three quick fixes.

Metro can't seem to get any breaks. And it shouldn't. Time after time, this agency finds itself in a position of tripping over its shoelaces. It just can't do anything right.

As someone who rides Metro every day to work in and out of Washington, D.C. (Vienna to McPherson Sq), I see firsthand how Metro just doesn't "get it" when it comes to operations, safety or performance. In fact, I'm usually calling the Virginia government relations person about everyday pointing out a problem. That shouldn't be the case. I shouldn't have to do that.

The City of Fairfax pays more money into the system than even the City of Falls Church, which has two stations in or right near its jurisdictions. We get a few bus stops and a station that's 8 miles away. Hence, I have started to pay more and more attention to what Metro is doing with our citizens' money.

This latest story in the Post - http://tinyurl.com/36vu7dw - about the NTSB's findings only underscores what most feel. Not only does Metro not get it, but can't relate to their riders.

And quite frankly, it's the Board of Directors to blame or at least its structure.

Take a look at some of the comments from Peter Benjamin, the current chairman, who "questioned the NTSB's findings that Metro suffered a "systemic breakdown of safety management" and a "lack of effective oversight," noting that Metro's board is often criticized for micromanaging." Or DC Councilman and former chairman of Metro's board, Jim Graham, who "said the accident resulted from a failure in technology -- although "I think this board needs to be accountable, and I want to be accountable as a member of this board."

Both of these gentleman are solid public servants and I know in their hearts they want to do everything possible to ensure the safety of Metro. However, from these and other comments, it seems the Board just doesn't relate to the average, every day Metro user.

And from these comments, it just seems that the Board is missing the mark. It's not about "micromanagement" or simply being held "accountable." Rather it's taking proactive steps and stepping in the shoes of riders and really understanding what it is that makes not just the system tick, but what riders have to endure every day.

From broken SmarTrip machines to broken A/C units, riding Metro feels like a punishment for many. Moreover, it's hard to justify paying - as I do - as much as $14 a day to ride the rails and park in one of its garages, especially when the service is lacking.

By my estimation not one single Metro board member uses the system (bus or rail) on a daily basis. And they get to ride for free when they do! And according to an article in The Examiner newspaper, many of them don't even show up for meetings.

So what's the answer to provide both better accountability and for Board members to hae a better understanding of what Metro does on a day to day basis and see what the riders see:

1. Require all of them ot ride Metro a minimum of three times a week during the am and pm rush. Make them pay, too. No more free Metro trips as they have now.
2. Break up the Board's structure to allow for representation from smaller jurisdictions and outside the beltway jurisdictions. This includes the City of Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun, for example. It will also need to be reflected in the compact that's made to ensure payments are fair.
3. Forbid Metro board members to be paid like they do in Maryland (I believe some make $36,000 a year). This is public service where people should be honored to serve through appointment. So, small stipend - sure. The salary of a first-year teacher to attend a couple of board meetings - nope.

Those are just three quick ideas to shake up the board and make it more accountable to the people it serves. I think, too, that once Board members see how the other half lives, so to speak, they will become more interested in overhauling this agency.