Metro Reponse to Public Records Request: FAIL

"I don't want to hide problems. That's the worst thing you can do."
--Metro interim GM Richard Sarles

When you ride Metrorail, there are pretty much three basic things you care about – how often the trains come; whether one will break down and delay you once you get on; and whether you’re likely to be injured or killed while riding.

Those were the thoughts behind three public records requests Unsuck filed with Metro on July 26. Below is a scorecard on how the new, “open” Metro has fared in handling these requests for basic, vital information about system operations.

For each request, in addition to the actual inquiry, we also sought expedited consideration and a waiver of fees. We did so because these inquiries address information of urgent interest to riders and the public beyond, and because agencies typically seek to thwart information access by charging outrageous fees.

As the chart shows, the openness promised by Metro’s new general manager isn’t much in evidence.

Bad as the results are, keep in mind that the public records process is how Metro insists that many public inquiries be handled, including the salaries of its executive team!

We will be sharing these dismal results with each member of the Metro Board of Directors, to see what they’ve got to say – whether they’ll stand up for public access, or instead back the bureaucrats (who work for them!) that prefer to be roadblocks to access.

We’ll let you know the results.--CS

Sorry. Not sure why the table is so far down. Please scroll. If you can see the problem, please let us know.

	REQUEST 1: Reliability, repair, operation, or design of railcar doors	REQUEST 2: Safety and other issues with “bellying” 1000-series cars in middle of trains	REQUEST 3: Automatic train control and development of real-time collision-avoidance system
Request for expedited consideration – Did Metro respond within required 10 calendar days?	NO (Took 22 days to respond)	NO (Took 22 days to respond)	NO (Response 46 days late as of 9/20/10)
Decision on request for expedited consideration.	DENIED (Stated reason: No urgency; information already known by public. Unsuck has appealed.)	DENIED (Stated reason: No urgency; information already known by public. Unsuck has appealed.)	PENDING
Request for fee waiver – Has Metro responded?	NO	NO	NO
Overall request – Did Metro respond within required 20 working days?	NO (Response 28 days late as of 9/20/10)	NO (Response 28 days late as of 9/20/10)	NO (Response 28 days late as of 9/20/10)
Decision on overall request – Has Metro released requested information?	PENDING	PENDING	PENDING

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