CATS CEO responds to report calling for his replacement

When TMG Consulting presented its findings on CATS to the transit agency’s board last night, it didn’t blame any particular CATS executive for the shortcomings highlighted in the report. But it made clear that the best way to achieve the agency’s goal of service expansion is to replace key C-level positions, specifically the CEO, COO and CIO. “The existing conditions cannot continue,” consultant Dwight Norton told the board, noting that CATS ranks 15th out of 16 peer systems in service efficiency, lacks industry-standard software for scheduling routes, and has no capital program or budget prepared for the next several years. Now, CATS CEO Brian Marshall is engaging in what could be seen as damage control. In a written statement issued this afternoon, Marshall says: “Over the past couple of years, [CATS] has seen an improvement in our on-time performance, our training and overall fiscal efficiency. … The report submitted by TMG is another part of that process. TMG is not in an adversarial position against CATS. In fact, we acquired the services of TMG to get another professional opinion on what we can do to continue our current trajectory.” Marshall goes on to write that, “While media speculation is never a good activity, it is more dangerous when it involves jobs, and millions of taxpayer dollars. Once we have fully considered all of our options, we will formally announce our plan for CATS moving forward.” —Stephanie Riegel