This morning, General Manager John Catoe made his announcement at the WMATA board’s executive session at its headquarters. According to At-Large Councilmember and WMATA Board Alternate Michael Brown, everyone in the room was floored by Catoe’s annoucement. “Everyone to a person was surprised and shocked,” Brown tells LL. “And frankly, just disappointed.”

Brown says that usually when an executive resigns, it’s the result of some background drama—-a resignation is the solution to an intractable problem. But, Brown explains “that wasn’t the case here.” In fact, Catoe retained full confidence of the board and recently had his contract renewed.

“People like his leadership and his style,” Brown says. “We didn’t like the accidents obviously. But there was no pressure on him to resign. Not even one person wanted him out.”

*reporting by Mike DeBonis.

*photo of Councilmember Brown courtesy of D.C. Council.