State transportation officials have selected the head of Atlanta’s transit system to be the new general manager of the MBTA.
Beverly A. Scott, general manager and chief executive of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, was selected by the board of directors for the MBTA and the state Department of Transportation. She beat out the second semifinalist, Atlanta’s No. 2, Dwight Ferrell.
Comments
Finally, finally, finally! We've always needed a professional manager who cut his/her teeth on another transit system and who has no local political allegiances. It's about time.
The MARTA is a delightful system, although the MBTA will present unique challenges as one of the oldest networks in the nation. While the MBTA will benefit from a fresh and experienced mind, I have to wonder, wc1940, who would actually want this job? I wish her good luck and look forward to seeing her in action.
You have a point. :-) Some people like a challenge, though, and she'll certainly have one here.
I agree that MARTA is an excellent system, or was when I was last there several years ago. I think the variety of equipment on the MBTA system makes it less efficient. That's a problem MARTA doesn't have.
Great choice, Governor! Beverly Scott is a dynamo, with great experience in a number of public transit systems. She is knowledgeable, fearless and refreshing, and an advocate for transit riders and employees as well. She knows where to find federal funds, how to maximize intermodal opportunities, and has held leadership positions in the national transit arena. Life at the MBTA is going to be fun, though she's not afraid of making tough calls on budget cuts and fare hikes, which she's had to do before!