The Chicago Transit Authority will soon get a new boss.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Tuesday that Dorval Carter, Jr. will be named the new president of the CTA. Carter, a veteran of the CTA, has more than 30 years of experience in public transportation both at city and federal levels, officials said.
He served the CTA in a number of posts from 2000 through 2009, including Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer.
“Dorval is a seasoned professional who brings a wealth of experience and knowledge about public transportation to the CTA,” Emanuel said in a statement. “And just as importantly, he already has a long and successful track record with CTA, and understands the opportunities and challenges it faces.”
The move comes after Emanuel named current CTA President Forrest Claypool as his next Chief of Staff, replacing Lisa Schrader.
It also comes at a time when the CTA faces major challenges, including significant budget cuts to transit agencies proposed under the budget plan Gov. Bruce Rauner outlined earlier this year. A spokesman for the agency told NBCChicago the cuts "risk reversing the impressive improvements the CTA has made in the last four years."
Rauner proposed trimming $128 million from the Regional Transportation Authority, which is responsible for financial oversight of the Chicago area's transit systems. Its budget funds Metra, the CTA and suburban Pace buses.
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Rauner also threatened to reduce or eliminate the funds the CTA receives from the state for the free and reduced rides it offers to senior citizens and the disabled.
The CTA is currently undergoing a number of improvement projects to stations and tracks, as well as replacing vehicles.
Carter most recently served as Chief of Staff to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation. He is expected to begin his new role at the CTA the week of May 18.
