"Paul J. Wiedefeld, general manager and CEO of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, is stepping aside, effective immediately instead of June 30, as he had planned, according to a statement he released Monday night. Wiedefeld had announced his retirement in January and planned to retire six months later. Wiedefeld was hired in November 2015 to lead the authority, which manages the Metrorail and Metrobus transportation systems in the Washington, D.C., region. Wiedefeld also accepted the resignation of Chief Operating Officer Joe Leader, also effective immediately.

WMATA has had trials and tribulations during Wiedefeld’s tenure, particularly stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, when rider numbers plunged by 90% in 2020 and still have not recovered. Metro projects to be carrying about 75% of its former passengers by 2024. The agency also has had to sideline more than half of its rail cars since October 2021 due to a safety defect, which causes their wheels to widen from their axles and possibly run off track. Before joining WMATA, he was CEO of BWI Airport and the Maryland Transit Administration. Metro Board Chair Paul C. Smedberg accepted the two resignations on behalf of the board of directors."

https://www.virginiabusiness.com/article/metro-gm-coo-resign-effective-immediately/