The team searching for a new head of Metro is turning to another candidate after the board of directors' top pick dropped out of the running on Monday.
Sources tell News4 the focus of the executive search is now Paul Wiedefeld, a former top official at Baltimore-Washington International Marshall Airport and the Maryland Transit Administration.
Former coworkers of Wiedefeld who know him well say he would be an excellent fit for Metro and has a history of turning programs around.
Executive Neal Cohen dropped out of consideration Monday, the board of directors announced. Metro had been finalizing a contract with Cohen -- who has experience in aviation, manufacturing and education -- when talks broke down.
Sources told News4 that Cohen said he was not prepared for the scrunity that comes with the job.
Metro board member Kathy Porter spoke with riders at the Bethesda station Tuesday evening to let them know they were listening. She said she knows riders want changes as soon as possible.
"We're looking for someone who's got good leadership ability and someone who can turn this agency around," she said.
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Riders said they are fed up with issues that seem to trickle down to them.
"The escalators don't work all the time -- sometimes they work, sometimes they don't," rider Deborah McMillan said. "The fares keep going up. We are paying more money and we are getting poor service. So, what's the deal?"
Metro is working to select a new general manager as soon as possible, the haed of the board of directors said Monday.
