Obama Nominates Former MBTA GM for NTSB Post

Beverly Scott resigned earlier this year amid criticism of how her agency handled the severe winter weather

President Barack Obama has nominated former MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott for a position on the National Transportation Safety Board.

The nomination was announced Tuesday, according to whitehouse.gov. If confirmed by the Senate, she would serve a five-year term.

"I am confident that these experienced and hardworking individuals will help us tackle the important challenges facing America, and I am grateful for their service. I look forward to working with them," Obama said in a statement announcing the nominations of Scott and several others to key administration posts.

Scott resigned from her post at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority earlier this year amid criticism of how her agency handled delays, suspensions of service and massive snowfall over the winter. Frank DePaola, chief operating officer at the state Department of Transportation, was named interim general manager.

On her way out of office, Scott said little about her decision, including whether she might have been forced out by new Gov. Charlie Baker. She was originally appointed to the MBTA post by former Gov. Deval Patrick, a close friend of Obama's.

Scott's resignation came a day after she held a press conference to forcefully defend her decision to suspend the MBTA's rail service for more than 24 hours to allow crews to clear the tracks. The move left thousands of commuters scrambling to make other travel plans.

Baker had called the performance of the MBTA during the harsh winter unacceptable, a sentiment echoed by many long-time riders.

The governor named members earlier this month to a newly created financial control board that will supervise the MBTA. He has also proposed measures aimed at building up the system's resiliency against severe winter weather.

Scott showed that she wasn't afraid to poke fun at herself during this year's St. Patrick's Day political breakfast, appearing in a video in which she picked up Massachusetts Sen. Linda Dorcena Forrey and Baker in an MBTA bus.

Massachusetts Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry opened the South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast by cracking jokes about the embattled MBTA, the city’s brutal winter, and several Massachusetts politicians.
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