Conn DoT Remains Focused On Transit

Rail advocates have expressed confidence in the new head of Connecticut’s Department of Transportation. Former deputy Commissioner Jeffrey Parker took over Wednesday, after the sudden resignation of his boss. WNPR’s Harriet Jones reports.

Mystery still surrounds the departure of DoT commissioner Joseph Marie, who this week became the ninth person to resign from that job in the last ten years. Mass transit advocates in the state say Marie has done an excellent job reorganizing the department and spearheading the push to attract federal funding for new rail and bus projects. He’s succeeded by his former deputy, Jeffrey Parker. Ryan Lynch of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign says that’s the best outcome from a difficult situation.

"Any shift in leadership is difficult, but I think his replacement in Commissioner Parker is seamless. Commissioner Parker has been with former Commissioner Marie I think since Day 1. He’s a transit guy as well – he’s worked down in Atlanta and up in Massachusetts on transit projects. He’s an effective manager."

Connecticut is bidding for a second round of federal funding for the New Haven to Springfield rail line in August, and Lynch says its key that the department continues to focus on that objective.

For WNPR, I'm Harriet Jones.