An executive shuffle is taking place at TransLink amid a summer of chaos, Business in Vancouver has learned.
Effective September 2, TransLink chief operating officer Doug Kelsey will revert to president and general manager of B.C. Rapid Transit Company, the TransLink division that operates SkyTrain. Kelsey held the post from 2002 to 2010. The COO position will be phased out.
“His past experience as the head of BCRTC, combined with his experience as TransLink’s chief operating officer for the past four plus years, will be extremely valuable as BCRTC expands to include the Evergreen Line,” said a prepared statement to BIV from TransLink.
Kelsey’s total earnings in 2012, the most recent year available, were $336,729.
Fred Cummings, who was BCRTC president and GM since 2010, will become vice-president, engineering and infrastructure management. Cummings was responsible for the Canada Line Rapid Transit Project and Golden Ears Bridge for TransLink. Cummings was paid $262,200 in 2012.
“The changes reflect management’s long-range planning, commitment to employee development and strengthening of operational expertise, and an ongoing assessment of how to best serve the region’s transportation needs today and in the future,” according to TransLink.
Former GO Transit CEO Gary McNeil was hired as a $1,200-a-day consultant to review SkyTrain operations after July 17 and 21 service outages on the Expo and Millennium lines. McNeil’s report is due in October.
