Metro News Release
For immediate release: January 27, 2011
Metro Board Names Richard R. Sarles General Manager/Chief Executive Officer
To Continue Safety Reforms, Rebuild System, Improve Service for Riders
Metro’s Board of Directors today (Jan. 27) voted unanimously to confirm Richard R. Sarles as General Manager/Chief Executive Officer of the transit agency, to continue the work he began as interim general manager in establishing a safety-first culture, modernizing the system and improving service for riders.
“After a very broad search that included many talented candidates, we recognized that we had in Richard a leader who, with years of experience and steady leadership, was getting the hard work done of changing the safety culture and rebuilding the system, which ultimately will lead to the improved safety and service that our customers and employees deserve,” said Metro Board Chair Peter Benjamin. “While Richard was not initially considered a formal candidate, his appointment will ensure that we fulfill our responsibility of providing safe and reliable service for all of those who depend upon us.”
“Richard’s appointment is important for the whole region, as the growth and vitality of the region depends upon a safe and reliable transit system,” said Board Member Catherine Hudgins. “Recognizing that Metro is the backbone of our region, the Board has deliberately selected a leader who is able to lead us today through rebuilding the system and move us forward to provide better service for millions of riders.”
In making today’s announcement, the Board reaffirmed that it will set policy direction and performance measures that the CEO will have responsibility for accomplishing. Initial performance areas identified by the Board included safety, delivering capital projects, and enhancing service and public communications.
As the CEO, Sarles is responsible for the day-to-day management of the agency including train, bus, and MetroAccess services for 1.3 million passenger trips a day. Sarles has served as Interim General Manager since his appointment by the Metro Board of Directors on April 3, 2010. During the last 10 months, he has been credited with working effectively with the Board to put the agency on a course to improve safety, reliability and financial stability. He has initiated dozens of actions to improve safety including strengthening the safety department, expanding training agency-wide, establishing a new Roadway Worker Protection Program, building working relationships with safety oversight groups, such as the National Transportation Safety Board and encouraging employee participation in safety through a culture survey, safety hotline and strengthened Whistleblower Policy. He has also spearheaded the replacement of buses and MetroAccess vehicles, and the acquisition of new rolling stock -- 7000 series rail cars to replace the agency’s oldest 1000 series. Under his leadership, Metro has a $5 billion six-year capital improvement program dedicated to improving safety, customer reliability and state-of good repair.
“I’m especially honored to have the Board’s vote of confidence, and I consider it a point of personal pride to represent the 10,000 men and women of Metro, with whom I share a commitment to public transit and public service,” said Sarles. “To our customers who have shown great patience and understanding, I know that it’s tough out there now with the weekend work and single tracking, but the work we are doing today to rebuild Metro will allow us to deliver safe and more reliable service in the future, which is my highest priority.”
Prior to joining Metro, Sarles was executive director of NJ TRANSIT and has more than 40 years of transportation experience with Metro, NJ TRANSIT, Amtrak, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He earned a Masters of Business Administration degree from Rutgers University and a Bachelor of Engineering degree from The Cooper Union in New York.
News release issued at 3:20 pm, January 27, 2011.