Gov. Charlie Baker's administration is starting a search for a permanent chief executive and general manager for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
Baker, speaking to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 16, also recommended that the MBTA's fiscal control board exercise optional two-year extension of its governance over the authority, which operates mass transit in metropolitan Boston.
Baker and state lawmakers launched the control board in 2015 after numerous transit breakdowns during a record 110 inches of snow in Boston. Its initial lifespan was three years with an option for another two.
"The MBTA is showing real progress in its turnaround, from vastly improved winter operations to cutting its operating deficit by more than half, but more work is needed to deliver better and more efficient results to riders and taxpayers," said Baker.
Chief administrator Brian Shortsleeve will remain as acting general manager in the interim and will sit on the search panel.
Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack, who by statute is charged with hiring the MBTA's general manager, has created a search advisory panel, and intends to secure an executive search firm to identify a CEO-style general manager.
Separately, Baker is filing a bill that requests $200 million in Chapter 90 funds for local transportation infrastructure projects statewide.
Through the Chapter 90 program, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation reimburses municipalities for costs incurred for eligible transportation projects.
The commonwealth awards funding by municipality, and by a formula that includes population, road miles and employment.
