In this third episode of Commuter Rail Conversations we’re talking about President-elect Joe Biden’s nomination of Pete Buttigieg as his Secretary of Transportation. Much of the discussion around the Buttigieg nomination has focused on a perceived lack of experience in the sector. Reflecting on his own experience with the former Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Commuter Rail Coalition vice chair and founding member Mike Noland joins us to share his thoughts on what Buttigieg can bring to the US DOT.
Noland has been President and General Manager of NICTD/The South Shore Line since October 2014, and before that spent 28 years in leadership roles at Chicago’s Metra. In our conversation about “Mayor Pete,” Noland paints a picture of an actively engaged mayor who very much understood how commuter rail service impacted the economic vitality of South Bend, the value of down-stream projects, and how reducing trip times on service between South Bend and Chicago-land would be an essential upgrade for those commuters who call South Bend home. And we’ll learn how Buttigieg’s incisive mind and practical experience can mean transformational leadership at the US DOT, not just for commuter railroads, but for all modes.
Joining us for this expanded episode of Commuter Rail Conversations is a special co-host, Melissa Boyles, of the industry podcast Moving Arizona. Please enjoy the conversation.