Davey's first year as GM

A year ago this past Monday Richard Davey took over the reigns of the MBTA system. Since his takeover the T has been faced with many ups and downs. Here are a few things that Davey had to deal with this year:
* Failed Commuter and Subway trains
* Delays and cancelations
* Subway tunnel fires
* An aging and neglected Orange and Red line fleet along with the commuter rail locomotive fleet
* The MBTA website crashed and burned
* Fare evaders
* Commuters and cars being hit by trains


Although Davey had many difficult situations to deal with throughout this past year and having to also deal with a plentiful amount of negative criticism, he still brought new and invigorating programs and equipment to the MBTA system. In my humble opinion Rich Davey has been one of the best things to happen to the MBTA system in recent years.


Here are just a few of the things that he has added and upgraded in the system:
* Introduction of the first new commuter rail locomotives in over 20 years
* New parking management system
* Real time phone applications
* Improved communication with commuters
* 75 new commuter rail coaches on order
* Station renovations
* Re-introduction of 3-train Green Line trollies
All of these things have really helped to strengthen the MBTA's heavily deteriorating back bone.

Many people blame Davey for the T's horrible—and I mean horrible—winter.  The truth of the matter though, is that none of it is really his fault. Rich Davey entered into an organization that has seen many years of neglect, especially to its equipment, by its previous leaders. It was just a matter of time before everything hit the fan. After seeing what he has done over the past year, though, I believe Davey is the man who is going to fix many of the MBTA's lingering problems. He really has his work cut out for him, but if he continues at the pace he is already running at, then the MBTA can definitely be a transportation system on the rise.