This month, former OCTA CEO Art Leahy took over as the head of Metrolink, the commuter rail system that runs through Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties. Metrolink has 512 miles of track and a $221.5-million annual budget.
He is expected to concentrate on fixing customer service issues, experimenting with lower fares, and coordinating train schedules with other local passenger rail services, including Amtrak California and San Diego’s Coaster line.
Leahy led OCTA from 2001 to 2009 and supported the reauthorization of Measure M, Orange County’s sales tax for transportation. In 2006, the measure was approved by 70 percent of Orange County voters.
Following his tenure at OCTA, Leahy moved to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). He resigned from his position as Metro CEO in January 2015 and was immediately hired to head Metrolink.
