Norton Announces State of the Union Guest, General Manager and CEO of WMATA Randy Clarke
Clarke came to WMATA as general manager and CEO in July of 2022. He has many years of experience serving in public transportation leadership roles across the country, including as President and CEO of Capital Metro in Austin, Texas, where he helped secure one of the country's largest voter-approved transit referendums in U.S. history. As GM and CEO of WMATA, Clarke has gained a reputation as a friendly, accessible and responsive leader. He's often seen riding the Metro and is known for his interactions with other riders, answering questions, taking pictures, and offering helpful, real-time information.
In the national capital region, nearly 800,000 riders use Metro’s rail and bus network each weekday. Reductions in Metro service would force transit riders to drive instead, increasing gridlock, traffic and air pollution in D.C. During her career in Congress, Norton has worked to ensure that D.C. residents have access to clean, reliable, and climate-friendly public transportation.
“I’m pleased GM Clarke accepted my invitation to attend this year’s address as he will be an important partner in navigating the upcoming challenges with Metro,” Norton said. “WMATA is critical to the D.C. area, which is heavily dependent on public transportation, so we must ensure Metro remains accessible and reliable by maintaining funding.”
“I look forward to attending the address, and hopefully taking a selfie or two, with GM Clarke.”
“I am honored to join Congresswoman Norton as her guest for the State of the Union address,” Clarke said. I appreciate her highlighting the critical role WMATA plays in a well functioning federal government and our region’s success. She has been a lifelong leader in investing in transit to advance equity, economic opportunity and sustainability. I am incredibly proud to represent the transit industry and all Metro employees who work tirelessly to safely move America.”
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which was largely shaped by the work of Norton’s Subcommittee on Highway and Transit, authorized $108 billion for transit investments, including $5.6 billion for low- and no-emission buses to reduce local pollution. Norton was proud to write a letter in support of WMATA’s 2023 grant application to procure battery-electric buses, resulting in a $104 million grant that will further WMATA’s transition to a 100% zero-emission bus fleet by 2045. Norton also helped deliver $30 billion in transit COVID relief funds through the American Rescue Plan to keep bus and train routes running and workers employed.
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