“…Brian Kane, executive director of the MBTA Advisory Board, said Tibbits-Nutt convened the transportation task force whose work helped persuade lawmakers to give the MBTA a $535 million infusion. She also had to “rebuild” the department’s leadership after the abrupt exit of her predecessor, he said.
The high-profile problems surrounding the highway rest stop contract was not a defining issue, Kane said, but he believes it “certainly played a role” in her leaving.
“It’s a year until the election, more or less,” Kane said. “I think Maura Healey wants this part of her administration to just not generate news and be quiet.”
Kane cited two concerns about Eng holding dual roles: the GM’s focus could naturally be shifted away from the T, and his appointment exposes the relatively “shallow bench” of transportation officials who can fill the secretary role.
“I texted with him this morning. He made it clear to me that the T is his home base,” Kane said of Eng. But, he added, for “the GM and the highway administrator to be the only two available [to step into these positions], it’s disconcerting.”…”
By Samantha J. Gross, Matt Stout and Jaime Moore-Carrillo | 10/16/2025