Some eyebrows might have been raised when the state’s transportation boss opted to take a trip within the week main as much as an unprecedented 30-day Orange Line shutdown that has been dubbed a “transit emergency.”
MassDOT Secretary and CEO Jamey Tesler returned to Massachusetts on Thursday “after a planned family vacation,” the company’s spokesperson Jacquelyn Goddard mentioned.
“While out of state, he remained in close communication with staff on issues, including executing plans for the upcoming Orange Line closure,” she mentioned.
While the timing of the journey is probably not optimum, transit advocates responded with a collective shrug, saying they’ve larger fish to fry in the meanwhile.
“I honestly don’t think it’s a big deal,” mentioned Stacy Thompson, LivableStreets govt director. “Everyone leaves the state of Massachusetts at some point.”
Thompson mentioned there’s no sense internally that Tesler has been absent amongst her companions on the municipal degree, MassDOT and the MBTA.
TransitMatters COO Jarred Johnson agreed, saying he had little doubt Tesler was protecting in contact together with his colleagues at MassDOT and others concerned with the challenge whereas he was out of city.
Johnson mentioned he was extra involved about Gov. Charlie Baker’s potential interference with MBTA communication throughout the shutdown, citing what was seen relating to derailments that occurred throughout the Blue Line diversion.
He can be not thrilled Baker’s “cavalier attitude” towards the difficulties commuters will endure throughout the extended Orange and partial Green Line closure.
Baker’s workplace didn’t reply to a request for remark.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”