Hampton Roads Transit to receive performance-tracking tool similar to VDOT

Written by jrood

February 14, 2001 A familiar Philip Shucet project from his days as commissioner of the Virginia Department of Transportation is now coming to Hampton Roads Transit, local media report. On April 22, Shucet, now president of HRT, will unveil the "HRT Performance Dashboard." The online tracking tool allows the public to see how efficiently HRT is completing tasks.

The project, which will
mimic many aspects of the popular VDOT Dashboard, will allow users to see how
the agency is performing on several measures, including bus performance, The
Tide light-rail project, and budget matters.

"When the agency knows
everything you do is right out there for everybody to see, it puts a different
picture on the face of accountability," Shucet said.

When Shucet took over
VDOT in 2002 under then-Gov. Mark Warner, the department was plagued by cost
overruns and delays in projects. The VDOT Dashboard drew acclaim from
legislators in both parties and from advocates for government transparency.

HRT has recently been
criticized for cost overruns with The Tide project, which will cost $100
million more than initially estimated. Board members praised Shucet on Monday for
bringing the "Dashboard" approach to HRT.

"I think that openness
and accountability at HRT is exactly what needs to be done," said Del. 
G. Glenn Oder, R-Newport News, who sits
on HRT’s board. "I applaud Philip Shucet for bringing a very successful program
at VDOT where the citizens were able to have access to real time information
and apply that very successful project to HRT."

HRT board chairman Jim Wood
welcomed the change. "It’s going to provide data that we should have been
getting all along prior to Philip taking over," Wood said.

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