DePallo named Metrolink CEO

The Metrolink Board of Directors appointed Michael P. DePallo, a veteran transit leader with more than 30 years of experience, as chief executive officer of the Southern California commuter rail service.

DePallo currently serves as director and general manager for the Port Authority Trans Hudson Corporation (PATH), a heavy rail subsidiary of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey that transports more than 250,000 passenger trips a day between Manhattan and neighboring New Jersey.

“After a thorough national search, I am confident Michael is the right person to lead Metrolink as it continues to build on progress made in recent years. He has a proven record on safety, leadership and has recently overseen his agency’s efforts to modernize their fleet of railcars,” said Metrolink Board Chair Richard Katz. “He is familiar with the complex issues that a commuter rail provider faces; that safety is foundational, customer service, funding issues, connectivity and security. In his current role, he is overseeing projects very similar to Metrolink’s Positive Train Control, Guardian cars, locomotive upgrades and fare media issues. We look forward to his leadership.”

“Metrolink is clearly one of the premier commuter railroads in the country and leads the nation in technological innovations such as Positive Train Control,” DePallo said. “It is a true honor to be selected to lead this highly progressive system, and I look forward to the challenge.”

DePallo led PATH to record ridership in 2011 after it plummeted in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. He chairs the Security Affairs Steering Committee for the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). Prior to PATH, DePallo held leadership positions at many of the largest passenger rail operations in the nation, such as Oakland’s Bay Area Rapid Transit District, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority in Philadelphia and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in Boston.

DePallo received his master’s degree at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA, specializing in transportation and land use planning. Michael will join Metrolink on Oct. 15, 2012.