Michael Burns, a 30-year transportation veteran, will take the
reins of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, replacing
Pete Cipolla, the only director the VTA has known in its 10-year
history.
Michael Burns, a 30-year transportation veteran, will take the reins of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, replacing Pete Cipolla, the only director the VTA has known in its 10-year history.
“This is an outstanding hire,” said Supervisor Don Gage, who represents South County on the VTA’s board of directors. Gage previously served with Burns on the Caltrain board and was very impressed with him.
“He’s very professional and very knowledgeable,” Gage said. “He has a team spirit to bring people together, which is what the VTA needs.”
The VTA’s uncertain financial outlook has created a rift between board members, most notably over the $5-billion BART to San Jose project. Gage and officials from areas that would not be served by the train have argued that it may preclude other VTA projects, including Caltrain improvements for South County commuters.
In addition to bringing harmony to the board, Burns is charged with oversight of the agency’s $340-million budget and 2,300 employees, and directing future transit and congestion management programs.
Most recently, Burns was director of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. Before joining MTA in 1999, Burns served as the chief operations officer for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. Prior to that, he worked at Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority as the assistant general manager for railroad operations.
