The MBTA Advisory Board, an independent oversight body comprised of mayors and select board chairs voted today to select Quincy Mayor Thomas P. Koch as its representative on the newly formed MBTA Board of Directors.
The vote taken today was made possible by Section 19 of chapter 29 of the acts of 2021 which requires that 1 person with municipal government experience, plus experience in transportation operations, transportation planning, housing policy, urban planning or public or private finance be appointed by the MBTA Advisory Board to the MBTA Board of Directors. “The MBTA Advisory Board has fought hard to get seat at the governance table and is excited to have Mayor Koch as our first representative”, said Brian Kane, Executive Director of the MBTA Advisory Board. Ruthanne Fuller, Mayor of Newton added, “The selection of Mayor Koch to the new MBTA Governing Board gives cities and towns a strong and effective voice in MBTA decision making. Representation and advocacy for the residents of cities and towns matters.”
Mayor Koch was elected in Quincy in 2007, and has served as the Chairman of the MBTA Advisory Board since 2011. The City of Quincy is a diverse, economic justice community located south of Boston with red line, bus and commuter rail service. “The appointment of Mayor Tom Koch as the Advisory Board’s appointee gives a voice to a cities like Revere, and other communities in Greater Boston about how the T is run. Mayors make tough decisions every day, and this appointment adds an experienced and tested leader to the new MBTA Governing Board”, said. Brian Arrigo, Mayor of Revere
Mayor Koch accepted his nomination by promising to be a strong advocate on the Board and committing over the next 6 months to visit each community, review their facilities and understand each of their unique challenges and opportunities. “I’m deeply appreciative to have earned the trust and confidence of my colleagues across our region to represent their cities and towns as a member of the MBTA Board of Directors,” said Mayor Koch “The Advisory Board provides a critical voice on behalf of communities with a broad range of needs and interests related to MBTA service today and in the future, and I am very much looking forward to fighting for those interests in this role.” Mayor Thomas P. Koch, City of Quincy
The term of the Advisory Board’s appointee is 4 years, with the possibility of reappointment once.
##