Phil sent the following to Metro staff earlier Monday.

Dear Metro Family:

As we approach the eve of the November 8, 2016 election, of interest to all of us is our Measure M that is on the ballot. I wanted to drop you a short note to say that I appreciate all the efforts of each one of you. Over the last 12-18 months and beyond, this agency has put forth a plan, in the form of Measure M, that some say is the boldest and most comprehensive transportation investment initiative in the history of Los Angeles County and perhaps this country.

Win or lose, this agency should be proud of the plan that we have put forth to address the tremendous mobility and congestion challenges in this region. In the most populous county in America, we have done well in planning and educating the public on this initiative.

Metro CEO Phil Washington.

Regardless of the election outcome, other transportation agencies around the country will look to replicate the transportation infrastructure investment initiative model that we have put forth, i.e., bottoms up approach (asking each of the nine sub regions to identify and prioritize their own capital projects/programs); money provided to all 88 cities in the County for them to do their local street improvements and pothole repair; keeping fares affordable for our dear seniors, students, and the disabled; taking care of our bus and rail operations by allocating 25% of the expenditure total towards those ongoing needs; 465,000 jobs/careers created over the first 40 year period; 52% investment towards transit and highway construction; Metrolink funding; bike and pedestrian funding; and the incredibly important State of Good Repair funding that ensures, into perpetuity, that we keep what we build safe and in good working order.

So, win or lose on Measure M, when the sun comes up on Wednesday, November 9, 2016, the day after the decision, we are still committed to and will continue to provide “Excellence in Service & Support” for our riders and for this great County.

Again, many thanks to our entire employee family. I sincerely appreciate what you do and the outstanding level of service you provide every day.

The best is yet to come!

Phillip A. Washington