6246429 Resolution 21-614, Sense of the Council in Support of Late Night Metrorail Service Hours Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2016

A RESOLUTION

 

21-614 

 

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

 

October 11, 2016

 

 

To declare the existence of an emergency with respect to the need to declare a sense of the Council on maintaining late-night service hours on Metrorail.

 

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Sense of the Council in Support of Late Night Metrorail Service Hours Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2016”.

 

Sec. 2. (a) The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (“WMATA”) Metrorail system is a critical transportation network that connects the entire national capital region. 

(b)  The region is highly dependent on the hospitality and service industries for employment, attracting new residents and visitors, and tax revenue.

(c) Workers, many of whom work late-night hours, as well as patrons, of hotels, restaurants, and other establishments that stay open late, rely on the Metrorail system for late-night service hours.

(d)  Other major cities, such as London, are moving towards longer and later service hours to ensure late-night connections between communities and employment centers.

            (e) It is vital that transit by the Metrorail, which continues to be a safer alternative to driving, particularly at night when drivers are fatigued and the risk of drunk driving is greatest, continues to operate to meet the needs of it riders.

            (f) The WMATA Board of Directors will be holding a public hearing and receiving comment on October 20, 2016.  It is important that the Sense of the Council in Support of Late Night Metrorail Service Hours Emergency Resolution of 2016 be transmitted to the Board of Directors as soon as possible.

 

Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia determines that the circumstances enumerated in section 2 constitute emergency circumstances making it necessary that the Sense of the Council in Support of Late Night Metrorail Service Hours Emergency Resolution of 2016 be adopted on an emergency basis.

 

Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.