About WSTC

The WSTC acts as the liaison between the State of Maryland, Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) for public transit, rail, bus, and para-transit planning and policy issues.

Background

The Washington Suburban Transit Commission (WSTC) was created in 1965 (Chapter 870, Acts of 1965).

The Commission administers the Washington Suburban Transit District and has powers to plan, develop, and oversee, on a bi-county basis, a transportation system, including mass transit facilities, for Montgomery County and Prince George’s County, Maryland. It coordinates mass transit programs with the two county governments, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, and the Maryland Department of Transportation.

Within Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, the Commission acts as the financial conduit for funding of mass transportation projects. It also is authorized to levy a property tax in each county to support mass transit services, and associated debt service and administrative costs.

The Commission consists of seven members appointed to four-year terms. Two are chosen by the Montgomery County Executive, and two by the Prince George’s County Executive. With Senate advice and consent, the Governor appoints one member from Montgomery County and one from Prince George’s County. One member serves ex officio. Annually, the position of chair alternates between Montgomery and Prince George’s counties (Chapter 353, Acts of 2018).

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