Houston METRO comments on FTA “buy America” findings

At a press conference hosted by Houston Mayor Annise Parker, METRO's leaders commented on the findings of the Federal Transit Administration's "Buy America" investigation and review of plans to purchase 103 new light rail vehicles. 



Mayor Parker first
acknowledged Houston’s need for a first class transit system and expressed
confidence that the FTA supports METRO’s rail-expansion program. "There is a
path forward. It is steep and rocky, but we can do it," Mayor Parker said.

METRO Chairman Gilbert
Garcia echoed comments by Mayor Parker that the NEW METRO was committed to
resolving issues left over from the previous administration, including the FTA
investigation. "We knew there would be challenges and we are attacking them one
at a time," Garcia said. "We are changing the culture at METRO to rebuild
trust."

Acting President &
CEO George Greanias said that the FTA findings provide several positive
outcomes, while acknowledging the challenges ahead. "First, the FTA made clear
that they support METRO’s rail expansion program. Also, they laid out a plan to
make funds available to keep the program moving forward. And, they provided a
roadmap for how to move forward, including a re-procurement of the rail car
contract. It will be a steep climb but we can accomplish it," Greanias said. 



Congress Member Sheila
Jackson Lee, who also attended the press conference, expressed strong support
among Houston’s Congressional delegation to see that METRO ultimately receives
the $150 million in the President’s FY 2011 proposed budget for rail expansion.

Greanias underscored that
construction currently under way on three light-rail lines will continue: the
North, Southeast and East End lines. He acknowledged previously that METRO has
slowed some work activity on the North and Southeast lines while awaiting
funding commitments from the FTA. He also said future construction slowdowns
are possible in light of cash constraints. He said a new procurement to
purchase rail cars was not directly linked to construction and that it could
take up to 20 months to complete and have initial vehicles begin arriving for
testing.

"We treat what the FTA
says very seriously," Greanias added. "The NEW METRO is committed to building a
strong working relationship with the FTA and to build trust."

Finally, Chairman Garcia
thanked members of Houston’s Congressional delegation who attended a meeting
this morning with the FTA, including Congress Members Sheila Jackson Lee, Al
Green, Gene Green and John Culberson. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison also sent a
representative. "We are truly appreciative of all their hard work on our
behalf," Garcia said.


Following additional
consultation with project managers, METO officials later said that meeting the
October 2013 completion date for the North, Southeast and East End rail lines
is not feasible. At this point in time, a delay of up to one year is
anticipated to complete construction on the three lines.