Capital Delivery is the organization within the MBTA responsible for the execution of capital projects - planning, designing, & constructing stations, tracks, signal systems, and other parts of the infrastructure needed to operate all modes of transit - including procuring the "rolling stock" we ride in. Capital Delivery is where the projects and spending are to attack the unfinished backlog of "state of good repair" needs that you keep hearing about.
There are different departments (separate from Capital Delivery) tasked with operations of the various transit modes. The MBTA Railroad Operations department is the department tasked with oversight of Commuter Rail, including oversight and implementation of the Keolis contract. So although I may need to work with RR Ops on particular topics that intersect with capital projects, I won't be working in RR Ops and therefore won't have a close connection to operational issues (or much to do with Keolis).
Capital Delivery has been in the news over the past months for not spending the full value of funds allocated and available for projects - see this article here for example. Part of that problem is understaffing in the Capital Delivery department - hence the job openings and my filling of one of those!
Obviously my advocacy made we aware of the job opportunities within Capital Delivery and I was able to talk to some folks about the opportunity. But I had to apply and go through the process just like anyone else.
I'm not sure what my new job will mean for this blog and my Twitter account. I hope to be able to continue to share some helpful information, but my job is definitely not within the communications department. I will have to defer to the rules and regulations (e.g. social media policy) of the MBTA.
I'm looking forward to bringing my perspective as a 15+ year commuter rail customer - as well as my professional experience as an engineering project manager - into my new role at the MBTA. I'm also grateful to everyone I've encountered through this blog and through my other forms of advocacy - my perspectives have been widened by you and I'll be able to bring that wider view with me into the agency.
I haven't worked in the public sector previously, but I'm especially aware of the responsibility I'll have to steward our money - whether it is taxes or fare revenue, it is our money that I'll be using to get work done. I'm only going to be a Project Manager - a small part in a big machine - so I won't be in a position to change the world or make drastic policy or strategic decisions. But for the small decisions I will be able to make, I'll try to make them count.
Thanks for your engagement here and on Twitter. If this turns out to be the end of my public conversations, please know that I have enjoyed maintaining this blog and sharing my knowledge with you.
Thanks
Dave
P.S. (added 10/14/2017): I'll still be riding the commuter rail! My new office is very close to my existing office, so I'll still be riding the Framingham-Worcester line to South Station. Hunt me down to chat.