Roger Snoble, president/CEO of Dallas Area Rapid Transit since 1994, announced his resignation last week to become the CEO of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). He will replace retiring MTA CEO Julian Burke in September. During his tenure at DART, Snoble opened light rail and commuter rail systems as well as a network of high occupancy vehicle lanes. He also oversaw the modernization and expansion of the agency's 1,000-vehicle bus and paratransit system. Systemwide ridership on the system's vehicles nearly doubled to a record 94.7 million passenger trips in fiscal year 2000. "Up to now, DART has been my biggest career challenge, especially considering the tremendous impact this agency is having on the region and its future," Snoble said. "I leave knowing that North Texas is tackling its transportation challenges with regional vision and cooperation." Snoble was one of five finalists for the MTA opening recruited in a nationwide search. "Snoble is widely regarded as one of the top transit executives in the nation," said MTA Board Chair and Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke. "He was the only candidate who manages a transportation agency similar to MTA that operates a multimodal transit system, builds infrastructure and also is responsible for regional transportation planning and programming." The MTA has a $2.7 billion annual budget and operates 200 bus routes, a subway and two light rail lines. Snoble was given a four-year contract to manage the MTA. He will remain at DART through mid-August.