MassDOT names Interim MBTA GM - Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) -- The MassDOT announced Wednesday that their Board of Directors voted unanimously to make Frank DePaola Interim General Manager of the MBTA.

DePaola is currently serving as Highway Administrator and MassDOT's Chief Operating Officer, and will now be the interim GM of the transit system "as we undergo a period of transition with the MBTA,” according to MassDOT Secretary Stephanie Pollack.

“With the depth and breadth of Frank's experience as an engineer, a manager, and a problem-solver, I have full confidence that he has the skill sets and capabilities to serve as Interim General Manager," Pollack said in a recent release.

She went on to say, "I also want to thank Dr. Scott for her years of service and for her strong commitment to public transportation. We wish her the very best of luck in her next endeavor.”

DePaola said he is looking forward to helping the Special Panel's search and getting the transit system back to "full strength."

“I want to thank the Board of Directors for their trust in my abilities, and I am excited to take on this critical role at the MBTA,” DePaola said. “I also look forward to assisting with the Special Panel's search to get to the root cause of the issues our transit system faces. Once the issues are diagnosed, I look forward to helping implement a strategy to restore our system to full strength, and restoring our customers' faith in our ability to provide safe, reliable, efficient transit service.”

This change comes at a critical time, when service is suffering and public confidence has plummeted. The MassDOT board voted unanimously by email for DePaola. He'll replace Beverly Scott, who abruptly resigned from her post two weeks ago amid major failures at the T during the relentless snowstorms. DePaola recently served as the acting transportation secretary during former Governor Deval Patrick's last year in office. When Baker took over for Patrick, DePaola became highway administrator.

In another move, Tom Tinlin, the state's chief of highway operations and maintenance will become acting highway administrator.

FOX25's Sharman Sacchetti asked the governor's office about it since the transportation secretary is on the MassDOT board.

"As the governor's MBTA review panel continues its work, Mr. DePaola and Dr. Scott's input will be invaluable to improving public transit services for the residents of the Commonwealth," according to the governor's office.

DePaola and Tinlin will start on March 4 and Scott will resign on April 11. An MBTA spokesman says she will assist in the transition.

Senator Bruce Tarr released a statement Wednesday saying that as the new interim GM, DePaola "provides a great opportunity to advance the process of reform within Massachusetts' public transportation system."