Now that it has much of its litigation-related unpleasantness behind it, Metro is working on improving its image, both with the public as a whole and with its more persistent critics.
The need to re-brand Metro as an institution worthy of confidence — to nurture good will and respect in place of skepticism and hostility — has been a consistent theme in actions taken by its board since Mayor Annise Parker replaced five of its nine members in March.
“We can’t provide first-rate service if people don’t trust us,” [Metro CEO George] Greanias said.
During her campaign last fall and in the first months of her administration, Parker often spoke of the need for Metro to become more transparent, accountable and responsive. She made this a top goal for the board members she swore in on April 7.
Two months later, some of Metro’s most persistent critics say the agency’s relationship with the community is improving.
“I think it’s night and day,” said former Kemah Mayor Bill King, who frequently criticizes Metro on his public policy blog. “They have reached out to me and asked for input. The attitude is completely different.”
Paul Magaziner, a Houston businessman who opposes Metro’s light-rail system and has compiled a vast collection of documents obtained through public information requests, said he has been impressed with the new leadership as well.
“The new president and board chairman are attempting to improve public relations and transparency. There is no question about that,” Magaziner said. “The needed transparency is a byproduct of six years of a runaway, rogue transit agency.”
I’m certainly glad that Metro is working on improving its image, mostly because it’s doing so by starting to do things it should have been doing all along. But I want to be clear that there’s a limit to how happy they should be making people like King and Magaziner. Stuff like transparency and public engagement, that’s all to the good. On matters of actual transit policy – you know, the delivery of transit services, and the design and direction of future transit services – it’s fine by me of those guys remain unhappy.
Since Frank Wilson is no longer around, how can we get Metro and Greanias to follow up on Wilson’s assertion in 2007 (see link below) about Hispanics at Metro?
http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2007_4385254
If the numbers have not improved (I doubt they have), will Metro and Greanias address this or will they continue to ignore the Hispanic community?