It didn’t take long for former Boston Transportation Department (BTD) Commissioner Thomas Tinlin to find a new job after handing the city his walking papers. In fact, Tinlin is taking his transportation chops up to the big leagues. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced that Tinlin will become the organization’s next Chief of Operations and Maintenance.
Tinlin resigned from the City of Boston on Monday, likely in anticipation of a major shakeup once Mayor-elect Marty Walsh completes his transition into the City Hall office held by incumbent Mayor Menino for two decades.
With ten years as commissioner under his belt, Tinlin introduced a number of initiatives in Boston over the years to help temper the city’s notorious traffic and unreliable public transportation while modernizing the department.
Most recently the BTD installed Time to Destination signs and real-time parking sensors to help drivers better navigate their way around the ever-congested Expressway and burgeoning Innovation District, while receiving updates on newly available parking spaces as they become vacant.
“Tom brings to the Highway Division his accomplishments as a skilled manager and a real passion for incorporating innovation into the way daily business is handled,” said MassDOT Highway Administrator Frank DePaola in a statement. “In his role with MassDOT, he will be working closely with our Highway Districts across the Commonwealth to increase consistency and accountability of our maintenance and operations.”
The MassDOT encompasses a number of statewide entities such as the Highway Division, the MBTA and Mass Transit, Aeronautics, and the Registry of Motor Vehicles. With plenty of transit experience at the helm of the BTD, a Master of Public Administration from Suffolk University, and polished experience as a community liaison Tinlin will be an unparalleled asset to the MassDOT team.
A native of South Boston, Tinlin is expected to assume his new position with the department on Monday January 13, 2014.
[Image via Suffolk University]
