Richard Sarles was voted in on Thursday as Metro's interim general manager for the next six to 12 months.
He will start March 29 and will make $25,000 per month.
“We have searched for and found an experienced transit professional who will hit the ground running while we continue looking for the best permanent general manager,” said Peter Benjamin, Chairman of the Metro Board of Directors. “We are fortunate to have a man of Mr. Sarles’ ability who understands the many challenges we face and can immediately begin to address the safety and financial issues that so deeply concern our riders and employees.”
From 2007 until January, Sarles headed the New Jersey Transit system. He also spent 20 years at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey after serving with Amtrak.
Metro's Board of Directors began meeting Thursday morning and were expected to vote Sarles in, although no one on the board will confirm he is the pick.
This rush to find a replacement follows General Manager John Catoe's decision to retire. His last day is April 2.
The need for interim general manager comes during a crucial time for Metro with mounting budget and safety concerns as well as the looming threat of a federal takeover.
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The search for a permanent replacement is expected to take most of the year.
