Submitted by Illustrious-Nose3100 t3_124n8zd in boston
For a starting salary of $470k, let’s hope he’s actually able to fix it..
Comments
michael_scarn_21 t1_je04xrf wrote
This is so true. There also needs to be much more oversight than just one person because so much is rotten and he can't be everywhere at once.
tryingkelly t1_je05jtp wrote
100%
just_planning_ahead t1_je0b9js wrote
If it is more the any "one person" that can help, then let him fall on the sword in the attempt.
I don't mean I actually want him to fail, but even seeing someone even trying would be nice. Like for example, in Milton, their stairs to their train station being removed with no timeline to replacement implying years to even decades, the alleged issue is repairing the stairs triggers ADA compliance so the MBTA needs funding and thus a legislature issue. Milton seem to have tried to pull every string they have between political avenues and even lawsuits. But the MBTA barely responds back to Milton, much less than actually act like their hands are actually tied rather than acting like one tying hands by stonewalling to even give a response.
If the issue is the legislature, then it would be nice to see the MBTA actually act like that implying that it wants to improve but can't rather than the above which implies they just have no interest. If we look back to just Poftak, then just remembering during the year before the pandemic, he even used to say that the MBTA doesn't need more money as more money don't speed up their "fixes".
tryingkelly t1_je0bmku wrote
I feel weirdly like I need to defend the T here and I don’t want too. He’s probably going to fail. Massachusetts politics are insular and corrupt, and notoriously unfriendly to outsiders, and he’s gonna need political cooperation to succeed.
Maxpowr9 t1_je0tdv0 wrote
Yep. It's why the State Legislature fought so hard against the FTA taking over. Same reason they're fighting against being audited. Corruption is likely rampant in State Government and MBTA.
wittgensteins-boat t1_je1bcge wrote
In what manner did the legislature fight against Federal Transit Administration?
Citations needed.
[deleted] t1_je4ueh8 wrote
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wittgensteins-boat t1_je4z4cj wrote
Not the legislature's move.
A crisis of repairs needed for new rolling stock to be able to operate on the line, after an egregious fire.
That is safety compliance expenditure, even if inadequate, compared to decades of inadequate funding for capital maintenance.
tryingkelly t1_je0th6a wrote
Bingo
SkiingAway t1_je0uzrd wrote
Eh, NYS is just as infamously difficult and corrupt.
CastlesandMist t1_je0yeq4 wrote
Let’s give him a fighting chance first. Lol.
tryingkelly t1_je0yksf wrote
Honestly I wish him the best of luck, we need a functioning T.
spitfish t1_je1nurw wrote
> Massachusetts politics are insular and corrupt,
The only thing we can do to prevent that is to get involved in local politics.
currens_felis t1_je2ybmr wrote
Any ideas?
spitfish t1_je4ixnw wrote
Volunteer & donate to city & state candidates that support change.
wittgensteins-boat t1_je1ayh5 wrote
Lack of Accessibility makes the MBTA a class action lawsuit away from properly fixing this and other stations.
Doctrina_Stabilitas t1_je1dkso wrote
The mbta is more accessible than other comparable American transit systems, if you think that’s not the case, I encourage you to take the Orange line and listen to the beeping
wittgensteins-boat t1_je1x2kq wrote
I agree that it is the case, thanks to the settlement of the Feingold suit in 2006, and the two decades of investment since then.
New York only in the last year settled a similar accessibility suit, and is three decades away from coming into substantial compliance, under the settlement funding process.
And has another active suits relating to buses.
bakgwailo t1_je1i9dl wrote
The MBTA has known the stairs were crumbling for years. The station itself is accessible by multiple other at grade and level entrances from the sidewalk.
hopefulcynicist t1_je0xtvn wrote
Not a one person problem for sure, but if this guy comes in with an actual agenda he can publicly call out / turn the screws on the legislature.
Some public/official finger pointing back at the legislature is long overdue.
[deleted] t1_je0ccje wrote
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tryingkelly t1_je0cot2 wrote
Agreed and we will see if he can manage it
william-t-power t1_je0zy5x wrote
One person can be the solution. One person who has a clear perspective of the problem(s), a vision to move forward, and the power to do so; solves problems by the perspective and vision being good and getting people on board from the top down. That's how one person solves a big problem. They find the solution, get people to agree and work in concert, and sideline the people in the way.
Most people, though, aren't capable of this. Hopefully this guy is.
alohadave t1_je0w5zq wrote
> The legislature is going to have to fund both service and the large amount needed to fix the system
Yeah, I wish this guy luck, but if the legislature doesn't cooperate, he's DOA.
7screws t1_je09cfm wrote
if it was a one person problem probability states we would have found a person by now.
calinet6 t1_je1dizl wrote
Yes, correct, it’s complex and there are a lot of dependencies, but at the same time the difference a good leader can make even mired in challenge is night and day compared to a bad one.
informal_bukkake t1_je1u62b wrote
Maybe a riot? When’s the last time we rioted for MBTA reasons
[deleted] t1_je0v9a0 wrote
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Bryandan1elsonV2 t1_je0957h wrote
As a wise man once said, you can’t make a tomelette without breaking a few Gregs. If that salary is what’s necessary, then let’s do it. This is what I actually want my taxes going towards: making sure it actually works.
rajonrondostan t1_je0c2ku wrote
great reference
bitpushr t1_je0hnm8 wrote
The single best line in the entire show!
avahz t1_je2u0dt wrote
What’s it from?
camelCaseAccountName t1_je2wfct wrote
Succession
floydhead11 t1_je36x2o wrote
If it is to be said, so it is
[deleted] t1_je0zvic wrote
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sinoforever t1_je0a2wv wrote
470k is not a lot for a person with this resume
[deleted] t1_je0dems wrote
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snoogins355 t1_je0ghs7 wrote
Sorry, we have to pay the college sports coaches that salary /s
UserGoogol t1_je1u78f wrote
In many states the head coach of some sport at a public university is the highest paid state employee, but in Massachusetts it is the chancellor of UMass Medical School. Both are in professions with very sharp competition from the private sector, of course.
bitpushr t1_je0hqh7 wrote
AtHlEtEs GeT A FrEe EdUcAtIoN
dancognito t1_je135kq wrote
My wife works in municipal government and there does seem to be a mentality on the positive side that while you won't make as much, your job is very secure and you are entirely off the clock after 5pm (except for very specific days), but on the negative side some people take advantage of that and will not do any extra work no matter how minute and become almost completely useless but not quite useless enough to get fired.
And then there are things that I do or buy that I don't think twice about, whereas she would have to convince so many people for approval or it might technically be illegal to do the same thing.
Sometimes it feels like towns and cities could be so much better if they paid just a little bit more. Doesn't have to be the same as the private sector, but they'd open up themselves to such better candidates if they paid a couple grand more across the board.
NealCaffreyx9 t1_je1l590 wrote
Sorry we can’t pay a government employee that wage so instead we’re going to pay a consulting company $4 million to tell us the same thing a highly qualified employee could tell us
genius96 t1_je1z9s8 wrote
And because we don't pay government workers enough, we don't have capacity so we hire overpriced consultants. Like 2/3rds of the 7.7 billion spent on the SAS in NYC went to consultants. So we're barely penny-wise and just massively pound-foolish.
Dances_With_Words t1_je2elbl wrote
cries in public defender
Cabes86 t1_je2qe9o wrote
Public Sector and Higher Ed= Paid Less BUT, the Benefits, work:life ratio, days off, etc. are worlds apart better.
ChrisSlicks t1_je0z4qw wrote
If we can pay the UMass football coach $1.7M I have no problem paying competitively for a position as important as this.
Trilliam_West t1_je13em9 wrote
Uh what now?
ChrisSlicks t1_je151qr wrote
Yep, $8.5M for 5 years was the contract.
therealrico t1_je0oe1x wrote
Right? This is a massively important job. Guy is in charge of how many with average daily ridership of 678k.
What he does has a massive impact on the city. If he’s able to help turn around the T and increase ridership, it could help traffic.
CaesarOrgasmus t1_je1dn1r wrote
Especially when you compare it to what it will ultimately cost to fix problems of this magnitude. Can't wait for a bunch of "fiscal conservatives" to start complaining about paying this guy half a mil when he hasn't personally reconstructed the T in his first six months
Mission-Meaning377 t1_je2v8pn wrote
It's not to much... Only slightly higher than the President of the United States.
sinoforever t1_je336h2 wrote
Which might be the most underpaid job that’s ever existed
Unfair_Isopod534 t1_je049gz wrote
He is in the process of moving. Sounds like he has trouble finding a house. Good luck to you. Hopefully that won't discourage you from fixing MBTA.
ForwardBound t1_je05x45 wrote
"Hey reddit, moving from NYC to Boston for a job, looking for a place. Ideally near the train. Budget is $11k a month. Would like to avoid roommates. Is Springfield too far away? Not familiar with the area. TIA."
Unfair_Isopod534 t1_je06nwt wrote
Semi-serious, him living in Springfield would probably propel the Springfield Boston line into existence. Or at least my dreams and hopes of if.
RandyCheeseburgers01 t1_je09g5x wrote
A Springfield-Boston connection is meaningless if you can't get around Boston in a timely fashion at the other end. Unless you work right at South Station.
User-NetOfInter t1_je0axja wrote
Federal reserve employees love this
rushfan420 t1_je14ing wrote
I interviewed for a job at that building once. I ended up not getting it, but it would've been my dream commute.
User-NetOfInter t1_je2d1ty wrote
good thing the red line is right in south station
Shit that’s broken
Well the orange..
Nope nope nope
Unfair_Isopod534 t1_je0a601 wrote
I don't have the numbers and i am definitely not an expert. I do wonder if the line would reduce traffic coming from Western Mass which could help reduce traffic within Boston itself. Plus it could open western MA as housing market. I am not disagreeing with you, just seeing positives of that connection.
UltravioletClearance t1_je0euib wrote
I know people can get into pretty crazy commute situations, but I find it very hard to believe that many people are driving from Springfield to Boston for work five days a week. That's easily four hours one way.
chystatrsoup t1_je0ftx1 wrote
Had to drive Springfield to Boston all the time for my last job, one way was never even close to 4 hours. Also a lot of construction workers live way out there and drive into the city everyday.
RandyCheeseburgers01 t1_je0ki1u wrote
Four hours?? I'm not sure it's that long. But I hear your point. The idea still being tossed around; here's a recent Globe article on it. The general public seems to interpret it as a way to alleviate the housing crisis in Greater Boston. People will use any excuse they can get to avoid upzoning and building more housing in Boston and the inner suburbs and to appease the NIMBYs. I know some people are open the idea of supercommuting (I am not one of them). A Springfield-Boston commute would really only be viable if it's high speed rail, not the current iteration of the T commuter rail trundling along. I'm not holding my breath on that.
UltravioletClearance t1_je0l2kh wrote
God I hope this doesn't become a reality. Opening up Springfield to the masses of rich-yet-not-rich-enough-for-Boston people will just lead to mass displacement of Springfield's existing residents and turn Springfield into yet another overpriced bedroom community of Boston that lacks any local economy on its own. Already seeing this down in New Bedford.
Unfair_Isopod534 t1_je0f952 wrote
From my experience, Pike it's extremely busy. I think all the way to 84 junction. If we were to add stop in between Springfield and Boston, maybe some congestion would go away. Like i said not an expert, and like it was mentioned before, Boston itself has enough of problems.
AceyPuppy t1_je1cbgr wrote
Springfield to Framingham is the best we can do. Figure out the rest yourselves.
Anustart15 t1_je2hoyk wrote
Let's focus on making the existing lines work before we start trying to make a low value, high cost high speed rail project happen
snorkeling_moose t1_je0hhsl wrote
Complete with the obligatory rampant hostility towards anyone asking that sort of question on this sub.
"Learn how to google" "use the sidebar idiot" "$11K? Go live in the seaport you finance/tech bro douchebag" "Don't move here, we're full"
MBTA Guy: You know what? Fine. Fix your damn trains on your own.
r/Boston: "No not like that."
Sir_Jacobson t1_je09gc6 wrote
His contract should stipulate he must live within 1 mile of the T and commute via MBTA to work daily. Two birds with one stone - housing crisis and public transportation
Think_please t1_je0nxpx wrote
"By the way we're also making you King of Housing. Good luck."
User-NetOfInter t1_je0b0c6 wrote
Make him live by riverside and sit on the green line for the distance
Anustart15 t1_je2hsol wrote
He has already said he plans to take the T to work "every single day" so he can see firsthand all the problems commuters are dealing with and to "put his money where his mouth is"
jean__meslier t1_je2npg9 wrote
That'll leave him what, two hours a day to work?
pukekopuke t1_je2mj13 wrote
Honestly, I hope he does, cause that will no doubt show him a lot of the issues that might get brushed under the carpet otherwise.
michael_scarn_21 t1_je055n0 wrote
I hope he finds a house near the red line so he realizes how shit it is and prioritizes that first.
SpaceBasedMasonry t1_je0b3ui wrote
He's getting nearly a half million a year. I think he'll find a place.
NoButThanks t1_je50qpp wrote
It's the only way to attract talent. Many arguments are: "just get European rail heads to come and fix it since the trains are so great there.". We can't afford them. Their salaries are higher. Pay trash and get trash. This seems like a good middle ground of getting an experienced rail manager with direct experience of turning a system around. He's still fucked here, but it's a start.
SpaceBasedMasonry t1_jeaqayk wrote
I'm not particularly concerned about his salary, especially if he can deliver.
I wouldn't expect to get a miracle worker on 60k a year.
NoButThanks t1_jecavf1 wrote
Yeah, same here. If he can at least get things going the right way, that's helpful.
Commercial_Board6680 t1_je0bwsu wrote
I'm glad that Healey got someone who seems to be somewhat of an expert, but no one person has the power or authority to turn the MBTA into something we can be proud of. It's going to take a Legislature who have the guts to go forward with rail improvements.
dyslexda t1_je0wqky wrote
How much can the head of the MBTA push for audits and oversight? Even that would be a massive win.
Commercial_Board6680 t1_je14khd wrote
My point, exactly. Will he be hobbled by bureaucrats or will he be allowed to improve our system. Time will tell. In the meantime, bring a book to kill time while waiting in the station.
johnmcboston t1_je0km4p wrote
I'm on the fence. Ch 25 did some 'man on the street' interviews in NY with LIRR riders who were less than impressed, but the could of course choose who to put on air. Fact wise, I'm curious if he 'fixed' the system, or just moved the goalposts.
I think back to David Gunn, who fixed every transit system he touched (and Amtrak) - except Boston, his only failure. Unions and politics prevented him form making any meaningful changes. Curious if the environment now is truly changed.
No_Judge_3817 t1_je050hf wrote
You'll all feel like fools taken for a ride when we get a Red Sox vs Mets World Series and suddenly an "emergency Fenway area transit shutdown" happens and some stoner jazz rock musician from Berklee is playing right field
amilmore t1_je0ggy1 wrote
The red line functioning smoothly from now until october is as likely as the Red Sox making the world series this year.
northeast0 t1_je0m45p wrote
How long until the sports betting apps start doing prop bets on the T?
Over / under 15 minutes headway between red line trains from 4PM - 6PM
brufleth t1_je0xlqr wrote
I'm surprised betting on public transit isn't more of a thing.
miraj31415 t1_je0zqel wrote
In 2008 and 2009 LIRR on-time performance was a little above 95%. It declined to 90.4% in 2018 (the worst since 2000). Eng took over in 2018 after his predecessor’s improvement plan was mocked. Eng led creation of the “LIRR Forward” improvement plan in 2018, and in 2021 LIRR set the highest on-time performance record in 50 years (2020: 95.9%; 2021: 96.3%; 2022: 95.8%).
Eng did oversee a time where the LIRR performance went back to where it had been. So, much credit goes to Eng and I hope he did turn around LIRR but there may have been other factors, such as changes in budget or cuts in service that people don’t talk about.
Eng has been working in New York transportation for his whole career, from Junior Engineer up to Executive Deputy Commissioner of DOT and President of LIRR. It seems possible that he might bring assumptions and approaches from NY that are not a fit for MBTA. But I hope that Eng finds and fixes the right problems — godspeed!
MassholeAsswhole t1_je15ypj wrote
> It seems possible that he might bring assumptions and approaches from NY that are not a fit for MBTA.
Bring on whatever the fuck he has. I feel like at this point ANYTHING is better that whatever shitshow is going on at the moment.
DarthNobody t1_je0f015 wrote
Maybe they'll finally finish the wholey unnecessary Courthouse Station renovation that's put one of the escalators out of commission for over a year now.
Doctrina_Stabilitas t1_je1dzva wrote
That’s because of poor engineering, water infiltration would cause longer term and even more expensive damage if it wasn’t fixed
So completely necessary
There’s also flood resiliency work going on, also completely necessary because of climate change and the location of the seaport
johnmcboston t1_je0jl4t wrote
What exactly are they doing over there??
SkiingAway t1_je16wpa wrote
-
Waterproofing repairs in the station - which is I believe what's put the escalator out of commission.
-
Building a new headhouse to the Northeast, basically in front of the District Hall building.
Doctrina_Stabilitas t1_je1e1uj wrote
They’re also doing flood resiliency work
citylightmosaic t1_je0iscq wrote
This is honestly much better than I expected
Not going to let my hopes get the best of me, but will remain cautiously optimistic
michael_scarn_21 t1_jdzw4dh wrote
"It's the best transit system in the world and that's why I'm here," Eng said at his introductory news conference at a Green Line station in Newton.
Wow way to show you're either deluded or stupid in your first press conference.
NickEggplant t1_je037i5 wrote
Maybe I’m too optimistic but maybe he’s just trying to show love for the MBTA & its history as the oldest subway in the US. It may not be at its best right now, but the T has a lot of character and a rich history.
I love the MBTA too, that’s why I want it to be better!
morrowgirl t1_je0hog3 wrote
Same, I WANT it to work. And I love public transit. I grew up somewhere rural that was car-dependent and wanted nothing more than not to have to drive everywhere.
NickEggplant t1_je0mi23 wrote
I’m in the exact same boat actually came from a car-dependent area & would always dream of having public transit when I was younger. Really happy to have it now.
KayakerMel t1_je1i8pb wrote
Yup, having lived in Texas I always feel guilty complaining about the MBTA because it at least exists.
brostopher1968 t1_je085ta wrote
It’s called rhetoric, chill the fuck out. He’s trying to rally the troops with optimism and institutional pride.
snorkeling_moose t1_je0hzym wrote
Right? Imagine if he opened his first speech like this:
"Look, this thing is a fucking turd, and I'm not gonna pretend polishing it is gonna help. You're gonna have to learn to enjoy shit sandwiches, losers. If anyone here actually cared about mass transit you wouldn't have let it get to this point. I have half a mind to privatize the entire thing and turn the tunnels into lab space."
warlocc_ t1_je0nir8 wrote
In this state, that probably would have gone over actually quite well.
AnarchyAntelope112 t1_je0lv8n wrote
>"Look, this thing is a fucking turd, and I'm not gonna pretend polishing it is gonna help. You're gonna have to learn to enjoy shit sandwiches, losers.
- Kenny Powers
Tempest_1 t1_je09xim wrote
Ya we can get a good chuckle out of it, dude needs to relax
[deleted] t1_je1lr3e wrote
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[deleted] t1_je0ckb4 wrote
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jerrocks t1_je00m2y wrote
Let’s pretend he was being sarcastic and what he meant was he wouldn’t have still been in Newton if it wasn’t the “best” transit system in the world.
BQORBUST t1_je06hwe wrote
Yeah I can also tell that the successful transit system operator knows nothing based on a single comment
Illustrious-Nose3100 OP t1_jdzwfxz wrote
Lmao
RandyCheeseburgers01 t1_je09ski wrote
I cackled at that when I watched the press conference yesterday. Could we (as Americans) for once admit that we're flailing when it comes to implementing safe, reliable and effective public transit? There's so much to learn from other cities in Europe, east Asia and elsewhere. The whole "we're #1... at everything!" shtick is so tiresome, to me at least.
SkiingAway t1_je17fq2 wrote
> Eng acknowledged that "it's clear MBTA service is not at the level it should be," and hasn't been for a long time. He did not list specific steps he would take on day one, but cited several broad areas that need immediate attention at the T, including safety, reliability, scheduling and finding more workers.
That sounds a lot like someone who is aware it is currently none of the things you mention.
Toffeechu t1_je1bl87 wrote
He knows it's shit. They had to call him in for the job. It's called public speaking.
Marco_Memes t1_je0gefr wrote
I think he’s just trying to be enthusiastic, obviously we all know it’s not the best in the world. With proper funding and management maybe top 10 in the US but we’ve got a loonnnggggg way to go before we crack the top 50 in the world
SpaceBasedMasonry t1_je0bo8p wrote
Beverly Scott pointed out the transit system sucked and they ran her out of here.
kr44ng t1_je12fo5 wrote
You think press conferences are for absolute truth and whining? Or maybe he's smart and playing optics and politics, which are both good for someone in his position.
Khearnei t1_je10ken wrote
I never quite understood why we don’t go overseas for stuff like this. Like, get me some people from the Swiss’s train system and have them weigh in. America’s public infrastructure lies on a spectrum of “well, it exists” to “serviceable”. There is no truly exceptional public transportation here. The big boys are all overseas. Call them in.
wittgensteins-boat t1_je1eedb wrote
The Swiss citizens in a referendum mandated Swiss Federal government takeover of the rail system, and continuing capital maintenance and improvement, supporting expenditures on rail.
Not so much in the US.
Reference:
History of Swiss Federal Railways.
http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/the-swiss-federal-railways-schweizerische-bundesbahnen-history/
MongoJazzy t1_je1oc8f wrote
There is no need to go to Switzerland to find people who are capable of operating a commuter rail system.
Our major impediment is that we typically recycle political hacks who have no idea what they are doing and are largely incompetent. That is why we see people like Pete Buttigieg as transportation secretary - he's totally inexperienced and incompetent at Transportation. So was his predecessor Elaine Chao.
Both parties do this - its not a partisan issue: they put incompetent people in important jobs and then wonder why government services are a complete failure.
NoButThanks t1_je19xov wrote
It'd be a downgrade to move here, that's why.
NoButThanks t1_je32bw1 wrote
Getting the down votes, but clearly the MBTA can't compete with foreign rail head salaries.
RentAscout t1_je091je wrote
Can he fix the Big Dig debt dumped onto the MBTA books? Isn't that the big reason for lack of investment?
resonant_waves t1_je0zz1m wrote
That's one of the two major issues arising from the major restructuring of the MBTA's finances two decades ago. The other is that it's funding was set based on the projected growth of state sales tax revenue, which is responsible for most of the MBTA's funding. However, sales tax revenues grew much more slowly than projected.
wittgensteins-boat t1_je5htyj wrote
Thank Amazon, and all other out of state retail internet purchases for the unpredicted lack of growth in sales tax revenue.
Illustrious-Nose3100 OP t1_je0969t wrote
I couldn’t tell you
nottoodrunk t1_je0cn5j wrote
Wasn’t that debt all projects that went to improving / upgrading the MBTA? Why shouldn’t they be responsible for it?
Haltopen t1_je0kxmh wrote
No, it wasn’t
nottoodrunk t1_je0zptr wrote
Oh sorry i was slightly wrong.
https://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2012/02/29/mbta-big-dig-debt/
> The key point is that despite the moniker “Big Dig Debt,” all of these projects directly relate to transit expansion or improvements like extending the commuter rail on the South Shore and to Worcester, adding parking spaces, building out the Fairmount Line — not roadways and, certainly, not the Big Dig. They came about as a result of an agreement that had to be signed in order for the environmental permitting around the Big Dig to take place.
denga t1_je2p0lh wrote
How were those projects chosen? Were they what the T needed at the time or was it driven by the federal funding requirements?
Spirited-Pause t1_je0iw1f wrote
As a Long Islander who moved to Boston a few years ago…this should be interesting to watch
bojangles312 t1_je1xwom wrote
Note to all Bostonians the LIRR is still a shit show.
sageagios t1_je2fuj9 wrote
They need a federal takeover like the Washington DC metro got in 2015. This is not purely a leadership issue. This is a system wide issue.
wittgensteins-boat t1_je5hg1e wrote
Washington Metro had only the Safety Administration taken over. Operations otherwise remained in Metro control, but safety division directives could no longer be ignored or over-ridden.
william-t-power t1_je0zinf wrote
I don't know, trains aren't supposed to turn around. That's what the tracks are for.
Jk
amo1337 t1_je1j6f3 wrote
Amityville, Copiague, Lindenhurst, Babylon, baby!
LeftLane4PassingOnly t1_je1qb5u wrote
The MBTA culture will break him like it has everyone before him.
SilverCyclist t1_je2bs2i wrote
A wise man once said that on your first day as MBTA chief you should hit the longest serving employee with a chair to show everyone else you mean business.
jamesland7 t1_je0l2qr wrote
I mean ya get what you pay for, so that seems like an appropriate salary. But here's hoping he succeeds.
roar8510 t1_je0uenw wrote
I'll believe it when I see it. Poftak was covered as the "transit guy" when Ramirez was kicked out of the job. I have no faith in MBTA.
Juancho511 t1_je36v1k wrote
HELP US!!!!!
Accurate-Temporary73 t1_je1wtsl wrote
I wonder what his solution will be to get out from under the terrible CRRC contract for the new trains
PUsmntLISIC t1_je2kkfy wrote
We need Dagny Taggart.
JARF01 t1_je2mxak wrote
Good luck Phil
IVGen_67 t1_je0xq3o wrote
The "crisis" was that stinking city's own doing.
Now they've got a self inflicted mess on their own hands that will only get worse, and is beyond all hope of fixing.
thebruns t1_je07crs wrote
Isnt LIRR known for spending $11 billion on a dead-end terminal 100 feet below an existing 100 track station that they couldnt be bothered to use?
t3hchanka t1_je0bh3g wrote
As someone who has lived on LI and in Boston, the LIRR works, which is more than I can say for the T
els1988 t1_je0gpu9 wrote
And what is the MBTA known for at this point?
thebruns t1_je0ha1p wrote
Good color scheme
citylightmosaic t1_je0qlss wrote
Now THAT is what I want in my transit system
BikerHikerHorse t1_jdzyu4e wrote
Four hundred seventy thousand dollars a year base salary!
Does that strike anybody else as absolutely fucking insane?
UltravioletClearance t1_jdzzzyd wrote
Probably the only way to attract quality candidates to steer a sinking ship.
fireismyfetish t1_je0242m wrote
No. If anything he's probably being underpaid for the scope of work and authority given he could probably take an easier job and make double that working for private rail companies or something.
Pinwurm t1_je03dxy wrote
That’s low, considering the level of engineering and management skills required in the industry/for-profit equivalents.
It’s part of why it’s so hard to find talent.
But many people that run big city-transit companies don’t do it for the money. Especially if they’re already retired like Eng is. If he fixes the T, he does it for legacy.
cycler_97 t1_je04e2y wrote
I despise this low IQ take. Any working professional like a software engineer, doctor, or lawyer in the late stage of their career can make that much or more.
This dude with 40+ years of engineering experience is hired to turn around an entire public transit system. I understand the potential for political corruption of civil servants but at the same time our bureaucracy is crippled because we can’t provide competitive financial incentive to hire top talent.
WinsingtonIII t1_je04w40 wrote
I also find it kind of funny how reddit always gets outraged about government employees making a decent salary for their level of responsibility, but then turns around and talks about how private sector workers deserve to get paid more.
And as you point out, for the level of experience and responsibility involved here, this salary isn't actually that crazy. He could certainly make more in the private sector for a similar level role.
TotallyErratic t1_je01t4b wrote
If he can actually fix the MBTA, I am okay with that.
donkadunny t1_je04bfk wrote
Not really. A job with this type of public scrutiny and the current state of the T should be getting paid a whole lot more tbh.
tryingkelly t1_jdzz810 wrote
Wouldn’t you ask for top dollar to be the governor’s fall guy?
TorvaldUtney t1_je03sys wrote
There is some of this - but also, you need to pay highly to attract high level talent. Why would someone go to the MBTA when they would go to private corporations/engineering and make $500k instead? the MBTA offer needs to be commensurate with competitive private offers to actually attract someone talented/qualified.
tryingkelly t1_je06um9 wrote
I understand the resentment behind high pay for public servants but if you want the best you need to make it worth their while. Public service for the good of the commonwealth is a lost thing
Illustrious-Nose3100 OP t1_jdzzddx wrote
I dont hate the player but I do hate the game
tryingkelly t1_jdzzh4z wrote
Legit
John___Stamos t1_je06hiz wrote
You're gonna be really mad when you see what the guys down in Fenway get paid to put on a costume and hit a ball with a stick.
WinsingtonIII t1_je04byp wrote
Someone with this much responsibility in the private sector (essentially the CEO of a company with $2.55 billion annual budget and 2,700+ employees) would almost certainly make much more than that. For that reason, I tend to have a hard time getting outraged about paying very high level government employees with lots of responsibility a reasonable salary for that level of position (and still way below what someone similar in the private sector would get).
If you want a decent candidate with enough relevant experience to actually take these sort of jobs, you have to pay well. There aren't that many people out there who have experience leading a large transit organization.
dan_marchand t1_je04t1a wrote
Private sector engineering/management at this level of experience pays more than that. Doesn’t seem unreasonable to me.
dkharms t1_je0864m wrote
It's kind of low? A well running MBTA will generate billions in additional wealth, a poorly running MBTA will destroy the same. What's the cost of 100,000 people losing a 30 minutes of their day? That's just immediate cost, not downstream effects.
Pay them a few million, if they can do the job.
eaglessoar t1_je0853m wrote
should be more, with the amount of money they touch
imo govt jobs should be among the highest paying, i think this would lower costs overall
in MA the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services spent 18B, if you can pay someone 1M a year to lower those expenditures by 1% you just paid that person's salary for 180 years
ta-dome-a t1_je0ikun wrote
Truly a smooth-brained take. For this level of responsibility and accountability you need someone with this kind of resume and experience, and that is expensive. If anything he is underpaid, and he surely could make a lot more doing a lot less in the private sector.
Illustrious-Nose3100 OP t1_jdzz1zm wrote
Doesn’t the US president get like..$400k? Seems a little crazy but who am I
-CalicoKitty- t1_je01nmf wrote
Yeah but the US president is way underpaid for the position. BU president's base pay is like $1m.
NickEggplant t1_je03avg wrote
The US presidents should unionize.
donkadunny t1_je0502f wrote
The president also has all expenses paid and has quite a cushy for-life benefits package. Not to mention what it does for your career earning potential thereafter.
Edit: oh and all those sweet insider stock trading tips.
Chippopotanuse t1_je049t9 wrote
Don’t state-employees who coach football teams make $10m+?
Seems a lot crazy but who am I
Illustrious-Nose3100 OP t1_je04mlh wrote
Well, I don’t know anything about football but yes, that’s also crazy.
If they’re a winning coach then whatever.. but if they’re getting paid that to lose every game…
Edit: and my crazy I mean I’m salty I’m apparently in the wrong field of work but alas
BikerHikerHorse t1_jdzzpuk wrote
Yeppers.
What the fuck, man.
tryingkelly t1_jdzz5yg wrote
He seems like he’s got some good experience. But this isn’t a “one person” problem. The legislature is going to have to fund both service and the large amount needed to fix the system, and I just don’t see that happening. Best of luck to Phil