“The time is right for me to turn my focus to a consulting career and spend more quality time with my family, including my aging parents who live out west and my children,” Garcia Crews said. “My service in Cincinnati builds upon my decades of experience in transportation. I look forward to being able to help and support organizations all over the country.”

RELATED:Cincinnati's SORTA celebrates 40 years

Darryl Haley, Metro’s executive director of development and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Officer, will serve as interim GM.

SORTA Board member and vice chair Ken Reed will serve as chair of the search committee for Metro’s next CEO and general manager. The Board will conduct a national search to fill this position, said Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) Board chair Jason Dunn.

“Terry has led our organization through a period of great transition, and we appreciate and respect the tremendous service she has provided to this community and to those who depend on public transportation,” Dunn said.

“She also has led the development of the go*FORWARD plan that we recently presented to the community and which we intend to build upon in the coming months and years to improve public transportation in this region. We wish only the best for Ms. Garcia Crews as she pursues other career opportunities.”

Garcia Crews said she is proud of Metro’s progress over the past four years – from the introduction of Metro*Plus to increased service in this region’s major corridors, including more east-west routes and reduced focus on downtown transfers, new destinations and increased efficiency and productivity of operations.

“I am especially gratified by the teamwork and planning that has led Metro to develop a vision for the future and that an independent study determined that Metro is the top transit system among peer cities in terms of operational efficiency,” Garcia Crews said.

“I have great confidence in the leadership and the team at Metro and community leaders to carry forth the discussion and implementation of expanding public transportation in this community. I want to extend my deepest appreciation to a passionate and dedicated staff. I am grateful for my time working with this team.”

Metro is a non-profit, tax-funded public service of the SORTA, providing about 17 million rides per year in the Greater Cincinnati area.