(The following story by Brian MacQuarrie appeared on the Boston Globe website on March 23, 2010.)
BOSTON — In a move that state officials hope infuses the MBTA with new direction and increased efficiency, Governor Deval Patrick has recommended that the head of its commuter-rail operations become general manager of the often-troubled transit agency.
The state Department of Transportation board is scheduled to vote this week on the nomination of Richard A. Davey as the new T chief.
“It’s getting back to the core: being on time,’’ said Davey, who has been general manager at the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad, the private company that operates and maintains the MBTA’s commuter rail.
His top priorities, Davey said, will include safety, a tolerant workplace, customer service, and innovation.
Separately, Patrick also appointed Davey, who is 36, as the department’s rail and transit administrator, a new position in which he will oversee all state-run public transportation, including the state’s 15 regional transit authorities and freight rail, Colin Durrant, spokesman for the Department of Transportation, said yesterday. That appointment, under the transportation reorganization plan adopted last year, does not require board approval.
Davey acknowledged during a press conference at Back Bay Station that he faces challenges at an agency that has been battered in recent years by subway accidents, service delays, employee allegations of workplace bias, and the controversial resignation in August of general manager Daniel Grabauskas.
However, Davey said, his ties to the region and his commitment to improving the agency should help bring stability to the MBTA. He said the agency has made no plans for service cuts or fare increases.
Davey also said the agency has reached out to employees who have questioned the treatment of women and minorities on staff. “We want to make sure they’re working in an environment that’s inclusive,’’ Davey said.
Last month, two employees lodged a complaint that women and Hispanic workers receive less pay and do not advance as far as white males at the MBTA.
Jeffrey B. Mullan, the state transportation secretary, said Davey will “bring a lot of energy’’ to the post.
Another goal undoubtedly is increased stability for a transit system that underwent an embarrassing political tug-of-war between Grabauskas and former transportation secretary James A. Aloisi Jr.
Aloisi, who pushed to oust Grabauskas in a public spat, resigned one month after the MBTA general manager announced he would leave the agency. Previously, Aloisi had linked Grabauskas to an unpopular effort to raise transit fares. However, e-mails obtained by the Globe showed a different scenario: Aloisi had endorsed such increases and resisted a plan by Grabauskas to delay them.
When Aloisi resigned, he became the third top transportation official in Massachusetts to leave in four months and the fourth in a year.
Davey’s appointment marks an important early milestone for the newly consolidated state Transportation Department, which since Nov. 1 has been responsible for the state’s roads, bridges, public transit, Registry of Motor Vehicles, and aeronautics.
While serving as general manager at Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad, state transportation officials said, Davey improved safety and customer outreach, expanded diversity in the workplace, and began a training program to combat harassment. Customer complaints decreased 40 percent in 2009, the officials said.
In a statement, Patrick said Davey was the right choice for the job. A date for the board meeting had not been scheduled by early last evening.
“Rich’s commitment to customer service and safety, combined with his no-nonsense leadership style, is exactly what we need to keep the MBTA moving forward,’’ Patrick said. “I look forward to working with him.’’
Davey, who lives in Back Bay, said he plans to continue to take the Green and Red Lines to work.