Interim MBTA boss vows all-hands-on-deck mentality for snowstorms
Frank DePaola, who was named to replace outgoing MBTA chief Beverly Scott, has already created a team to examine what went wrong this winter.

Image: MassDOT

Image: MassDOT
BOSTON — The MBTA's new acting GM said to meet his top priority of ensuring trains and trolleys can “weather the next winter,” he plans to import into the public transit system the all-hands-on-deck attitude the state's highway operation uses to combat snowstorms, The Boston Herald reported.
Frank DePaola, who served as the state's highway administrator before the MassDOT board tapped him Wednesday as interim GM to replace outgoing chief Beverly Scott, effective March 4, 2015.
RELATED:Keolis/MBTA make strides with commuter rail snowstorm recovery
He said he has already created a team to examine what went wrong this winter, from logistical to mechanical problems, and create a master plan to fix all the issues to better “weather the next winter,” according to the report.
One of the primary things he intends to look into is finding special snow-trains equipped with massive blowers to shoot the snow far from the tracks. The T, he said, operated its normal subway trains — equipped with plows — over some of the rails during the storms, but they did little to push the record amounts of snow far away from the tracks to prevent drifts from burying the third rail, the Herald reported. For the full story, click here.
More Management

Bus Tech Talk: Keeping Transit Technicians Ahead of the Technology Curve
In this episode of Bus Tech Talk, Complete Coach Works’ Business Development Manager Mark Hollenbeck and METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman sit down with Obed Mejia, Senior Technical Trainer for Bus Maintenance, at LA Metro to discuss how rapidly evolving bus technology is changing the maintenance shop — and the skills technicians need to keep pace.
Read More →
Michael Schneider Joins Paslay Group to Expand Transportation Practice
The longtime transportation executive will help Paslay Group grow its advisory and program management work across transit, highway, and other infrastructure sectors.
Read More →
People Movement: Connectpoint Expands Leadership Team, Stadler Names New Group CEO, and More
In this edition, we also spotlight recent personnel moves at Burns, UZURV, and more, highlighting the people taking on new roles across the transportation industry.
Read More →
More Than a Summer Job: Building the Next Generation of Transit Talent
The Delaware River Port Authority and PATCO have transformed their internship program into a hands-on professional development experience that introduces students to the breadth of transportation careers — and creates a pipeline for future employees.
Read More →
LA Metro Board Awards 220 Battery-Electric Bus Contract to ENC
The contract, which is the largest base award of battery-electric buses by a U.S. transit agency, will be built in Southern California, sustaining good jobs as LA prepares to welcome the world in 2028
Read More →
What’s Behind San Diego MTS’s Award-Winning Transit Strategy
Named one of APTA’s 2026 Outstanding Public Transportation Systems with 50 million or more annual passenger trips, California’s San Diego Metropolitan Transit System points to gains in ridership, safety, technology, and reliability as foundations of its success.
Read More →
Public Transit Conference Returning to GFX in 2027, Call for Papers Now Open
The Call for Papers is now open, allowing transit agency professionals and industry experts to help shape the PTC educational program by submitting session ideas for consideration.
Read More →
Indian River Transit’s Community-Focused Approach Earns National Recognition
Named APTA’s 2026 Outstanding Public Transportation System in its size category, Florida’s Indian River County transit system continues to grow ridership through fare-free service and a focus on evolving community needs.
Read More →
ENC Lands MATA Contract and More in Biz Briefs
In this edition of Biz Briefs, we spotlight the latest developments shaping the future of mobility.
Read More →
From Surviving to Thriving: Building Stronger Transportation Organizations
Bus Business Consultants founder Brian Dickson shares lessons on leadership, organizational health, and creating options for long-term success in a changing transportation industry.
Read More →