Media Relations Contact:
Robin Stringfellow DART Communications 214.749.2577
Marc Littman MTA Public Affairs 213.922.4609
June 20, 2001
DART President Roger Snoble Resigns to Head Los Angeles Transit Agency
Roger Snoble, president/executive director of Dallas Area Rapid Transit since 1994, today announced his resignation to become the CEO of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). He will replace retiring MTA CEO Julian Burke in September.
With 36 years in the public transit field, Snoble led the development of DART's successful and fast-growing multimodal transit system. During his tenure, the agency opened the first light rail and commuter rail systems in the Southwest, along with a network of high occupancy vehicle lanes. Snoble also has overseen the modernization and expansion of the agency's 1,000-vehicle bus and paratransit system.
"DART has a great team of transit experts in place to keep its expansion program on track and on time," Snoble said. "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. I leave knowing that North Texas is tackling its transportation challenges with regional vision and cooperation."
DART Board Chairman Jesse Oliver praised Snoble for his leadership during a critical time in the life of the transit agency. "Roger has helped make DART both a hometown success story and a new national model for other major U.S. cities turning to public transit to help ease traffic congestion and air pollution," Oliver said. "He will be greatly missed, but he leaves behind a stronger transit agency and a highly qualified management team with a clearly focused mission."
Snoble will remain at DART through mid-August. Oliver said the DART Board will consider what steps it will take to recruit a successor in the next few weeks.
Under Snoble's direction, systemwide ridership on DART's buses, trains and high occupancy vehicle lanes has nearly doubled to a record 94.7 million passenger trips in fiscal year 2000. Through 2003, the agency is adding 24 miles of light rail to its 20-mile starter system and joining with the Fort Worth T to link Dallas, Fort Worth and the Mid-Cities with commuter rail. Following voter approval of long-term financing in August 2000, DART also is accelerating its long-range plans for a 93-mile light rail system and a 110-mile network of HOV lanes.
The American Public Transit Association (APTA) named DART its Transit Agency of The Year in 1996, and in 1998, Snoble was named APTA Transit Manager of The Year. He also is the recipient of the Friend of Texas Transit Award presented by the Texas Department of Transportation to an outstanding public transit official.
Snoble was one of five finalists for the MTA post recruited in a nationwide search.
"Roger 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. "It was a real coup to recruit him. 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."
MTA is the third largest public transportation agency in the United States. It has a $2.7 billion annual budget and more than 9,000 employees. It operates 200 bus routes serving a 1,433 square mile service area as well as a subway and two light rail lines that crisscross Los Angeles County. In addition, MTA is responsible for constructing new busways and light rail lines as well as funding transportation improvement projects ranging from street widening and bikeways to freeway carpool lanes. MTA also is responsible for countywide transportation planning.
"MTA is the biggest agency of its kind in the country with a truly multimodal approach to moving people," Snoble said. "It represents a rare challenge in the American transit industry."
Snoble was given a four-year contract to manage MTA. His base annual salary will increase from $218,200 a year at DART to $295,000 a year at MTA. His compensation was calculated on the 60% higher cost-of-living in Los Angeles, MTA officials said.
Prior to joining DART, Snoble served as president and general manager of the San Diego Transit Corporation, where he worked for 20 years, rising through the ranks from planning and scheduling manager to the top executive post. A graduate of the University of Akron, he began his transportation career in 1965 as a planner for the TriCounty Regional Planning Commission in Akron. He also worked as a planner for Akron Metro Transit District from 1971-1973. -- 30 --
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